Elderly Loved Ones Deserve High-Quality Care

The decision to place a loved one into an assisted living facility is a difficult one. We all want to know they are being taken care of in a way that provides for their physical and emotional needs and allows them to continue their journeys through life with dignity. Many of the millions of families considering a nursing home for a loved ones wish they could shoulder the responsibility of care themselves, but there are times when needs for medical care and support for everyday living can best be provided by a skilled care team.

Unfortunately, cases of elder abuse in nursing homes or assisted living centers are increasing. Estimates show there are more than two million cases of elder abuse each year in the United States. Nursing home administrators and staff members have an obligation to provide appropriate care to their patients. If a facility is neglecting or mistreating their patients, our attorneys will stop at nothing to expose the facility’s wrongdoing.

Rhoads & Rhoads has been protecting the rights of the injured throughout Western Kentucky for over 45 years. If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of a nursing home abuse, our team of experienced trial attorneys and knowledgeable support staff are available to help you through this difficult time and get you the financial recovery you deserve.

Signs of Nursing Home Abuse

There are multiples types of elder abuse that occur, both inside nursing homes and out. A critical piece of protecting your loved one from such abuse is by understanding the different kinds of abuse and the signals that can indicate something is wrong. By far, physical abuse is the most common types of elder abuse, but abuse may also be emotional, sexual, and/or financial. Neglect is also a common kind of abuse experienced by senior citizens in nursing homes.

Individuals who are being physically abused often show more obvious symptoms than victims of other kinds of abuse. There may be broken bones, including in the hip, as well as bruises, cuts, or other signs of physical injury to any part of the body. Clothing that appears damaged or bloody is also a serious indicator of a problem. If a senior citizen is being sexually abused, there may be bruising or injury to genitalia or breasts. Recent contraction of a sexually transmitted infection should be followed up on as a symptom of possible abuse.

Emotional abuse can include intimidation, isolation, humiliation, and neglect of the patient. When emotional abuse is occurring, you may significant and sudden changes in mood and confidence. Emotionally abused patients often withdraw and may seem nervous or depressed. Others may lash out angrily or have outbursts of crying. Neglect can include shades of physical and emotional abuse, such as leaving patients in soiled clothing or forcing them to live under unsanitary conditions. If you notice your loved one’s appearance or temperament changing drastically, they may be signs of malnourishment or improper administration of medication.

Financial abuse or exploitation occurs when money, belongings, or even the patient’s identity, is stolen, misused, or misrepresented by another. When someone is entrusted with the daily care of your loved one, they often have access to a lot of information. Though most caretakers are honest, financial exploitation of senior citizens is disturbingly common.

It is hard to imagine administrators or staff members in nursing home would abuse our elderly loved ones. Unfortunately, it does happen, and in the worst cases, it can result in death. If your loved one is showing signs of neglect, complains about the care being received or a specific nurse or staff member, or appears significantly changed in emotional or physical ways, you should take action.

Owensboro and Madisonville Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers — No Recovery, No Fee

With offices in Owensboro and Madisonville, Rhoads & Rhoads represents nursing home abuse and wrongful death victims throughout Western Kentucky. We offer free initial consultations, and all cases are taken on a contingency fee basis, which mean there is no payment required up front. We get paid only if we win or settle your case, so there is NO RISK involved.

Call us at 888-709-9329 or contact us by e-mail to schedule an appointment with one of our Madisonville or Owensboro personal injury attorneys.