Nursing care facilities can be a dangerous place for your loved ones. While most are very conscientious in their care for their residents, some cut corners, don’t do a good job screening staff and don’t provide necessary oversight for resident care. When these things occur, elderly residents may be vulnerable to abuse, neglect or care that does not meet appropriate standards.

This Malpractice Guide guide discusses the vulnerability of the elderly in nursing homes and how to spot abuse before it happens.

Choosing the Right Nursing Care Facility

The best way to prevent abuse or neglect of your loved one is to take your time in choosing the facility. Take a visit and a tour, check its credentials and licensing, learn about hiring practices and check with the Better Business Bureau to look into complaints. If complaints have been made, either look for another facility or at least ask management about them and how they were handled.

Preventing Nursing Home Abuse

If you have a loved one in a nursing home, there are several things you can do to prevent abuse.

• Visit frequently, so staff expect to see you on a regular basis. Most abuse happens to elderly residents who are not checked on by family or friends.
• Visit at odd hours, including early morning and late at night. In the space of a few weeks, make sure your loved one is visited during all work shifts, so various employees are observed in how they interact with residents. Make sure you choose a facility you can visit at these times, and that visits don’t have to be scheduled. If staff is rough with residents or uses threatening language, don’t overlook this sign.
• Look for signs of abuse including bruising and scratching. If your loved one is losing weight or appears depressed or anxious, these may also be symptoms of abuse.
• Talk with your loved one privately. Make sure no staff are within earshot. If you suspect abuse, let the person know that you will take steps to end it and remove them from the facility. Ask them if they are being threatened by staff, since verbal and emotional abuse also occurs in elder-care and nursing facilities.
• Bring a physician to examine the resident. Your loved one has the right to a visit by his or her own doctor. A medical professional who is familiar with nursing facilities will have an experienced eye in spotting abuse.

If You Suspect Abuse

Contact management of the facility immediately and also contact the authorities. Your local or state Council on Aging will also be able to help. Even if abuse cannot be proved, make arrangement to have your loved one moved to a different facility. You might also want to contact an attorney experienced in elder care to see what civil remedies you might have.