Nobody in a nursing home or assisted-living facility in Ohio should have to worry about getting hurt because of elder abuse or neglect. However, as many Cleveland residents know, nursing home abuse and neglect happens far too often in Ohio and across the country.
Sometimes nursing home abuse injuries are unintentional and result from understaffing issues at a facility. At the same time, nursing home residents can suffer physical and psychological harm at the hands of a nursing home staff member or caregiver.
Whether you live in a nursing home and have questions about abuse or you have an elderly parent in a nursing home, I want to make sure you get the information you need. The following are some of the top things to know about nursing home abuse in Ohio.
Nursing Home Abuse Can Take Many Different Forms
You should never assume that nursing home abuse is only a risk if your elderly loved one has physical signs of harm such as bruises or broken bones. While physical abuse is certainly one form that elder abuse can take in an Ohio nursing home, there are many other kinds of abuse that have a wide range of signs or symptoms.
According to the National Council on Aging (NCOA), elder abuse can involve psychological or emotional abuse, financial abuse, sexual abuse, and even passive neglect.
If your elderly parent begins acting differently or their behavior changes without a clear reason, you should consider the possibility that abuse is the cause. Psychological or emotional abuse, as well as sexual abuse, may not produce obvious physical signs but may lead to changes in behavior.
At the same time, if your elderly parent or loved one is suffering injuries in falls, or has an untreated infection, passive neglect could be to blame. Even if a staff member does not mean to cause harm, failing to provide timely care can lead to serious injuries.
Older Adults with Cognitive Impairments Are More Vulnerable
Older adults with dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and other cognitive impairments are more vulnerable to abuse and neglect in nursing homes. Not only can they be targeted more often by staff members, but these residents often have more difficulty identifying and reporting the abuse.
Most Nursing Home Abuse Claims Need to Be Filed in Two Years
Under Ohio law, most nursing home abuse claims for bodily injury must be filed within two years. In some situations, the statute of limitations may be shorter. Get in touch with me so that I can assess your case.
Call Me to Learn More About How I Can Help with Your Claim
Nursing home abuse and neglect can take many different forms in Ohio, and anyone with an elderly loved one in a nursing home or assisted-living facility should know the signs and symptoms of abuse. You should also know what steps you can take to report elder abuse or to begin the process of filing a nursing home abuse lawsuit.
Whether you have an elderly loved one who was the victim of intentional physical abuse or who suffered bedsores from passive neglect, I can help you to file a claim and to hold the nursing home accountable for the harm it has caused. I’ll Make Them Pay!® Call me today at 877.944.4373 to learn more about how I can assist you with your claim.