Entrusting your parent or loved one to a nursing home or managed care facility is never easy, and requires a commitment of faith on your part and theirs. The explosion in the elder care industry has made substandard facilities for the elderly all too common. You might suspect your family member is experiencing that substandard care. You shouldn’t stand for it.
At Morgan & Morgan, the attorneys in our Pensacola office recognize nursing home abuse in Florida for its grave injustice. Our elder abuse lawyers are proud to have helped families throughout the state get justice for aged relatives who have been abused, neglected, traumatized, or injured by nursing home negligence and staff abuse, and may be able to help your loved one too. Contact us today for a free case review to learn more.
The Increasing Problem of Nursing Home Abuse
Americans are living longer than ever, but are still suffering from age-related diseases such as dementia, Alzheimer’s, heart disease, and other conditions like diabetes, limited mobility, and more. This means there’s a greater demand for long-term elder care now than ever before, especially in Florida — a haven for retirement.
There are currently 681 nursing homes in Florida, with room for more than 83,000 residents, according to the Florida Agency for Healthcare Administration. Unfortunately, receiving a license does not guarantee a nursing home will be quality. The demand for affordable elder care has skyrocketed, and so has the number of nursing facilities in both Florida and the United States, inevitably bringing some of their accreditation into question. And this could spell suffering for your loved one.
Common Signs of Nursing Home Abuse
Spotting signs of nursing home abuse and neglect can be very difficult. Older relatives suffering from an illness that affects the mind may not be reliable or could be unable tell you what they’re experiencing. Sometimes, loved ones sustain injuries and bruising under normal conditions, without any wrongdoing.
However, if you spot any signs of what could be considered abuse you should mention something to the staff. Some common examples of how elder abuse can manifest includes:
- Bedsores
- Unexplained and recurring bruises
- Dehydration or malnutrition
- Consistently poor hygiene
- Extreme fear or anxiety
- Unexplained infections
- Unexplained injuries
This is just the tip of the iceberg. Be on the lookout for anything out of the ordinary when you’re trying to determine your loved one’s state of mind about their facility, and health.
Our Florida Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys Can Help Protect Your Loved Ones
People who suspect their elderly loved ones have experienced nursing home abuse or neglect are often unsure of what to do. The next step can often be unclear after reasonable questions about a loved one’s conditions and care have been ignored.
If you have these suspicions and have not received satisfactory answers, have your situation evaluated by our team of Pensacola nursing home neglect attorneys. We may be able to investigate the situation and help provide you with better alternatives in court. Fill out our risk-free, no-cost case evaluation form if you’re ready to seek justice today.