Tunica, Mississippi, Nursing Home Negligence Attorneys
Those with elderly relatives living in nursing home facilities in Tunica, Mississippi, likely have spent at least some time worrying about the wellbeing of their loved ones. After all, abuse and neglect can happen in nursing homes of all types, even good facilities can make bad staffing decisions which can endanger seniors in the care of unconcerned staff members.
Anyone with a relative in such a facility needs to be vigilant in watching for the telltale signs of abuse and neglect. Physical abuse can range from moderate to extreme. Physical assault, even rape can occur to some especially vulnerable seniors. Other issues include forced restraint, overmedication and verbal abuse. Though not physically painful, emotional abuse can leave lasting damage on seniors forced to tolerate it. This can include hurling insults at helpless patients, humiliation and threats.
Neglect is a more insidious problem given that it involves a lack of action, rather than outright physical harm. Though no active attack takes place, neglect is no less serious. This can involve withholding food, water, medications, proper hygiene and even attention. Some elders are neglected when their caregivers ignore them or isolate them against their will.
Some of the most obvious signs of abuse include the following: bruising, bleeding, loss of hair, stained, torn clothing, sudden weight loss, burns, poor hygiene, recurring infections, unresponsiveness, strange behavior, loss of personal items and even bizarre financial transactions.
Other things to watch for include if you arrive at a nursing home to visit with a resident during normal hours but are denied access to your loved one. Same thing if you notice what seems like unusual delays before you are allowed to visit with the resident. Another sign of trouble would be if a member of the staff refuses to leave the room during your visit. This behavior might indicate that there is something they are attempting to hide.
If you notice any of these signs of abuse, immediately take your concerns to management at the nursing facility, explaining what was wrong and asking to be kept in the loop as the facility investigates the complaint. If you are not happy with management’s response, you are entitled to file a complaint with a state agency that regulates the nursing home. You are also able to contact an experienced Tunica nursing home abuse attorney to discuss your legal rights and options.
Tunica nursing home residents should expect top quality care in their golden years. Residents in Mississippi have a right to privacy, dignity and respect and those facilities that fail to live up to these obligations should be held accountable. If you suspect that a loved one is suffering from nursing home abuse or neglect in Tunica, contact one of our nursing home abuse attorneys immediately. The experienced attorneys at Stroud, Flechas & Dalton have handled complicated cases of abuse and neglect before and will show your loved one the respect they deserve while helping to get justice through financial compensation.