Emotional Abuse:
Spotting emotional abuse is not nearly as easy as spotting physical abuse or neglect. You want to look for behavior that is different from the patient’s usual demeanor. Is your loved one suddenly withdrawn? Does he or she seem depressed or anxious all the time now? These could be signs of emotional abuse. Pay attention to how the staff interacts with your family member. Does the staff isolate him or her, use threatening language, or try to repeatedly blame the patient for various things? These could also be a form of abuse.
Financial Abuse:
People often think about physical and emotional abuse when it comes to nursing home issues, but financial abuse is one you also need to watch out for. Older people, especially those who are sick, become easy targets for unscrupulous people who are looking to steal their money. Perhaps a caregiver has access to the patient’s ATM card and withdraws money, or steals the patient’s financial information to use later and make fraudulent charges. Another risk is that someone will coerce the patient into changing his or her will or trust to include the healthcare worker.
Has Your Loved One Been Injured In A Nursing Home?
If you believe your loved one is being subjected to nursing home abuse you should speak with a nursing home neglect attorney as soon as possible. Contact us online or call our Charleston, South Carolina office directly at 843.488.2359 to schedule your consultation. We are also able to meet clients at our Conway, Myrtle Beach, Murrells Inlet, Mt. Pleasant, North Myrtle Beach or North Charleston office locations.
