Advocates for Your Loved Ones

Incidences of neglect and abuse of the elderly can only increase as the population ages. At Nance Cacciatore, our lawyers are committed to making sure nursing homes are safe for current residents and for future generations. It is important for us as a society to protect the most vulnerable and fragile among us. Our law firm is proud to play a role in this effort.

If your loved one in a nursing home or assisted living facility appears to be neglected or abused, do not hesitate to contact an attorney to discuss the situation. We have filed lawsuits against nursing homes to obtain compensation for people who have suffered nursing home abuse or have been neglected by those responsible for their care.

Call our office at 321-777-7777 or fill out and submit an online contact form to request a free, no-obligation consultation.

Signs of nursing home neglect include:

• Bed sores, or decubitus ulcers
• Malnutrition
• Dehydration
• Broken bones or bruises from falls
• Dirty bedding or clothing
• Excessive use of restraints
• Overmedication

If you notice any of these symptoms of neglect, take action right away. Do not let the situation worsen.

In reality, neglect that results in signs such as those above, is really a form of subtle abuse.

The most common kinds of nursing home abuse are physical abuse, emotional abuse, financial exploitation, sexual abuse and neglect.

More overt signs of flagrant nursing home abuse may be apparent if your loved one is hesitant to talk about or have an explanation for things such as:

• Burn marks
• Verbal mistreatment by staff
• Sexual behavior by staff towards residents
• Allowing unwanted sexual behavior by other residents
• Withholding treatment or care in return for financial, sexual, or other favors

Types of nursing home abuse

• Physical abuse
• Emotional abuse
• Financial abuse
• Sexual abuse
• Neglect

Such things are difficult to discuss with an elderly parent. Moreover, many of our elderly are unable to communicate very well. However, if you suspect that abuse and neglect are occurring, don’t hesitate to ask an attorney to advise you. We can help you obtain compensation for your loved one and help find alternative arrangements for them. Equally important, a lawsuit sends a message to the operator of the facility that nursing home abuse and neglect will not be tolerated.

Nursing Home Abuse FAQ

• Why are neglect and abuse common in nursing homes?
  There are a lot of theories about why neglect and abuse seem to be so common in nursing homes across the country. It is so prevalent that it is difficult to pinpoint a single reason. However, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) department has faced extensive criticism for its lenient approach to reviewing, rating, and appraising nursing homes. Indeed, the CMS allows nursing homes to self-review and self-report in most cases. Obviously, there is a significant risk of a conflict of interest in these reports. If a problem of abuse does exist, then there is little chance it will be reported, so outside intervention won’t come to stop it before it gets worse.
• What constitutes ‘exploitation’ in a nursing home or assisted living facility?
  Exploitation is a specific type of nursing home abuse that takes advantage of an elder’s age and mental health deterioration, such as if they have dementia or Alzheimer’s. Most forms of exploitation are financial exploitation or abuse. A caretaker will steal from an elderly resident, sometimes through coercion. In some cases, senior citizens are sexually exploited and abused by caretakers or other residents. Again, the exploitation usually happens because the elder does not have the cognizant awareness to know what is happening or is too afraid to report it.
• How do I report nursing home abuse?
  Each state has different methods of reporting nursing home abuse in an official capacity to the state’s Department of Justice or Agency for Health Care Administration. You can use the federal Adult Protective Service website to locate the correct department in your state. However, if you suspect that your elderly loved one is in immediate danger of physical harm, dial 911. If you think your elder might have been robbed of their finances, then you should call the local sheriff’s department.