Some people struggle to care for their elderly loved ones at home because they must prioritize work, school, or other important aspects of their personal lives. As a result, they are admitted into nursing homes where there are medical practitioners and caregivers who can provide care for them.
The caretakers at these nursing homes have an obligation to cater to their residents according to the agreement signed while they were admitted. Generally, they are expected to assist the residents in their regular daily activities, provide recreational opportunities, and administer their medication.
The staff at these nursing homes are expected to treat residents delicately and with respect; however, there are unfortunate cases where the residents are mistreated and abused. Nursing home residents tend to suffer this abuse for a prolonged period without adequately pushing back because of their age or medical condition. Many of them hesitate to seek external help due to feelings of embarrassment or hopelessness. However, there are several actions they can take for recourse.
Steps Abused Nursing Home Residents Can Take As Recourse
Any nursing home resident who has faced abuse should consider taking the following steps:
1. Contact their loved ones
While it can be difficult to admit that one is being abused, it is helpful for nursing home residents to talk to their loved ones so they can stand up for them. They should share as many details about the abuse so their loved ones can fully grasp the situation.
2. Document evidence
Where possible, victims of the abuse should take photos of their injuries, get witnesses to learn about what is happening to them, and take notes of the abuse they face. These will help their cause when the issue is brought to the attention of the appropriate authorities.
3. Escalate the issue to management
Upon hearing of the abuse a resident has faced, their loved ones can escalate the issue to the management of the nursing home so they can take appropriate actions against the worker(s) perpetuating the abuse.
4. Contact the police
If the abuse appears to be criminal, or perhaps causes a wrongful death, the family of the victim should contact the police and report the wrongdoing. The police would conduct an investigation, review the evidence, and hold the people involved accountable.
5. File a lawsuit
The family of an abused nursing home resident can help them seek an attorney to file a lawsuit seeking justice and compensation for the abuse they have faced. This is also applicable in a case where the abuse leads to a wrongful death. The ideal type of attorney for this situation has experience negotiating elder abuse settlements. They would know how to navigate the legal complexities and negotiate a suitable compensation amount.
6. Move to a different nursing home
Regardless of the outcome of the lawsuit, it would be wise to move the resident to a different nursing home to start afresh. This is because once a nursing home has a history of abuse, the behavior is likely to continue. However, the family should carefully vet the new nursing home they want to admit the senior into.
Endnote
Abuse is a terrible thing for a nursing home resident to face. The fact that they are old, feeble, and not in the best medical condition makes it difficult to defend themselves. However, they do not have to suffer in silence. They can tell their loved ones about the abuse and follow the steps outlined above.
