Elder Abuse and Neglect in NJ – Seek Legal Assistance

When it’s time to make the decision to move an aging relative into an elderly care facility, family members find little time to evaluate and compare different nursing homes.  If a serious illness or injury isn’t the reason why relatives decide to place the individual in a nursing home, the reason is usually related to the loved one’s loss of physical or mental functions. 

New Jersey elder abuse attorneys offer insight as to signs of nursing home abuse.

Sometimes family caregivers are no longer able to care for an elderly parent.  It’s very common for older people to fall and break bones or become ill.  In other situations, the individual’s ability to function with a degree of independence quickly degenerates.  This leaves the caregiver in a vulnerable position for selecting a nursing home.  There is urgency to get them into a home, but the relative doesn’t have a lot of information or time to make an informed decision.

Physicians can’t “recommend” nursing facilities.  They can only respond with a selection of local homes.  It becomes the role of a spouse or family member to review options.  Usually this is done in the hours after work.  People have other obligations so it’s not unusual a cursory evaluation occurs.

Sometimes the first walk through a nursing home shocks a family member.  Seeing elderly people in various stages of decline is unsettling.  That doesn’t mean the nursing home is neglectful.  There are however, for you to look for which suggest abuse or neglect.  In New Jersey, if you see signs your loved one is being mistreated, you should contact one of your local elder abuse attorneys. 

NJ elder abuse laws are put in place to protect people assigned to a nursing home.  In most cases, when there is neglect, a family member is responsible for recognizing it and reporting it.  The following conditions constitute cause for concern and should be discussed with an experienced New Jersey elder abuse attorney.

Warning Signs of Neglect

·         Bed sores

·         Cuts

·         Burns

·         Broken bones

·         Bloody sheets or clothing

·         Over medicating

·         Sexual abuse

·         Delayed visitations

Bruising is another symptom that may indicate abuse, but the skin on older people is very prone to bruising.  If bruising is the only noticeable symptom, look for other sign indicating your loved one is being neglected. 

Sadly, for many of us, the final stage of our lives puts us in a place where we have very little control of what happens to us.  The lucky people have loved ones nearby to keep an eye open for signs of elder abuse and neglect in NJ, and the legal specialists who can help to keep your loved one safe from pain and abuse.