Possible Signs of Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect in Illinois

 Posted on March 23, 2024 in Nursing Home Abuse/ Neglect

When a family places a loved one in a nursing home, it is generally done after a great deal of deliberation. It is often done when this relative has shown they can no longer live on their own and sufficiently take care of themselves and when the rest of the family cannot accommodate them in the long term. They often spend a lot of time trying to find a place that would best serve their relative’s interests and allow them to live in comfort and dignity.

Unfortunately, some people who work in nursing homes are inappropriate for such a setting. They could be negligent or abusive, causing serious harm and possibly even death to the resident. This article will describe several warning signs that they might be suffering abuse or neglect at their nursing home. If you suspect this is happening to your relative, speak with a passionate Cook County, IL personal injury attorney to find out more and plan your next steps.

What Should I Be Looking Out For?

There are several warning signs that your loved one might be a victim of nursing home abuse or neglect. These include:

• Physical symptoms: Anything from bed sores, unexplained bruises, and fractures are all major red flags that something might not be right at the nursing home. These could all indicate that the caretakers are negligent at best and abusive at worst.
• Physical proof in the facility: If the nursing home is dirty, cluttered, or has exposed environmental hazards like medical waste lying around, it could be a dangerous environment for the residents to live in.
• Your relative’s own reports: If your relative mentions being denied food, drink, bathroom use, or help with their routine hygiene, this is a big red flag.
• Unstable financial activity: Withdrawals or bank transfers that the resident does not seem to know about; withdrawals that are not in keeping with their usual banking habits; multiple personal checks written out to a staff member; names added to their bank signature card; and changes made to the resident’s will without their family’s knowledge are all examples that might indicate that someone is taking financial advantage of them. Additionally, if your relative suddenly decides they no longer want to discuss their finances with any family members, this might also indicate that someone is not only exploiting them but also telling them they cannot trust their family and should not speak with them about any of it.

Contact a Northbrook, IL Personal Injury Lawyer

If you believe your relative is the victim of nursing home neglect or abuse, a compassionate Cook County, IL personal injury attorney can ask the right questions to get to the bottom of it. Call Gruzmark Law, Ltd. at 847-729-7660 to schedule a free consultation so we can work together to take legal action to protect your relative.