Nursing Home Abuse in Cleveland, OH
Abuse of nursing home patients is always intentional. But despite what you may think, it is not always physical. Your elderly loved one can be severely harmed without a nursing home staff member ever laying a finger on them. Psychological abuse can have long-lasting effects, and financial abuse can risk your loved one’s future medical care.
There are many types of elder abuse, including:
- Physical abuse may include hitting, slapping, flicking, pushing, kicking, biting, physical restraining, and chemically restraining.
- Emotional/psychological abuse can entail name-calling, shaming, humiliating, demeaning, blaming, scapegoating, gaslighting, threatening, ridiculing, ignoring, and isolating the senior.
- Sexual abuse encompasses harassment, non-consensual touching, non-consensual sexual intercourse, and sexual conduct with a senior who is incompetent or unable to consent for another reason.
- Financial abuse may involve theft, schemes, manipulation, and embezzlement.
If you believe your loved one is suffering from any type of physical, sexual, psychological, or financial abuse, do not hesitate to reach out for help.
Our Cleveland nursing home abuse lawyers are here for you and your family. We are highly experienced in helping seniors obtain the medical and daily care they need and in holding care facilities responsible for their conduct.
Nursing Home Neglect in Cleveland
While nursing home abuse is intentional, neglect may not be. Nursing homes are often understaffed, which can lead to negligent care. Also, many staff members are under-qualified and under-trained.
All of these factors, in addition to staff members’ careless attitudes, can lead your loved one to suffer from inadequate medical and hygienic care as well as an unsanitary and dangerous environment.
Neglect often results in dirty conditions and poor hygiene. Your loved one may not bathe enough or receive help brushing teeth. Their clothing and bedding may not be changed often enough or immediately after it is soiled. This can have a significant physical and psychological impact on your loved one. They may get bed sores, skin rashes, and urinary tract infections. This can greatly impact their quality of life.
Nursing home neglect also may lead to malnutrition and dehydration. It is common for seniors to not receive enough water and liquids throughout the day and may not have access to water themselves. They may not receive proper meals throughout the day, or these meals may not meet their dietary needs.
Contact our nursing home negligence attorneys to discuss your options if you believe your loved one’s health is suffering because of neglect.
Signs of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect
As someone with a loved one living in a nursing home, you must be aware of the signs of neglect and abuse. You need to know what to look for when you visit and quickly relay it to our Cleveland nursing home abuse lawyers so proper action can be taken. This will help you detect any neglect or abuse as soon as it occurs and minimize your relative’s suffering.Signs of nursing home abuse and neglect include, but are not limited to:
- You observe dirty clothing and bedding on one or more occasions
- Your relative is in inappropriate clothing for the weather, such as lacking a coat when it is cold
- Bedrooms, bathrooms, hallways, and common areas are not kept clean
- Your relative has body odor and/or bad breath
- Your relative has one or more bedsores
- Your relative is suffering from unexplained rashes or skin conditions
- Your relative has unexplained bruises, welts, scars, or burn marks, which may be healing at different rates
- Your relative has restraint marks on their wrists, ankles, or across their torso
- Your relative has suffered from unexplained or repeated falls, dislocations, sprains, or bone fractures
- Your relative’s underwear is torn, stained, or bloody
- Your relative has suffered from unexplained vaginal or anal bleeding
- Your relative has bruising around their breasts or genitals
- Your relative has been diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection
- You observe your relative mumbling, rocking, or sucking their thumb
- You notice personality changes, such as becoming more aggressive or withdrawing from company
Elder Abuse Reporting Laws
Ohio law requires that certain professionals who suspect elder neglect, abuse, or exploitation must inform the Department of Job and Family Services. Under Ohio Revised Code Section 5101.63, these professionals include, but are not limited to:
- Nursing home employees
- Doctors, nurses, dialysis technicians, pharmacists, coroners, and other medical professionals
- First responders, ambulance drivers, and firefighters
- Police officers
- Building inspectors
- Real estate agents
- Certified public accountants (CPAs)
- Financial planners and advisors
- Bank tellers and other bank employees
- Attorneys
- Clergy members
- Any senior service provider
If one of the above individuals did not report suspected nursing home abuse and you fear your loved one suffered, call the Cleveland nursing home abuse lawyers from Kisling, Nestico & Redick immediately.
Resources for Elders and Their Families
Do you want to know more about the signs of nursing home abuse or neglect? Do you want guidance on what to do if you suspect neglect or abuse? There are several resources that can provide you with answers to your questions before you feel comfortable calling an attorney. These resources include:
