We trust that when our family members have been placed in nursing homes or other facilities in or around Los Angeles, they are being treated and cared for responsibly. Unfortunately, administrators, doctors, nurses and employees of such facilities sometimes fail to comply with the applicable standards of care. The U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging estimates that three to five percent of the elderly people in the country have suffered nursing home neglect. or abuse. Given the aging of the baby boomers, that estimate is expected to increase significantly. If you have a family member in a nursing home or extended care facility, here are five forms of abuse that you need to be aware of.

Signs of Physical Abuse
Cuts, bruises and fractures are all objective signs of physical injury. What comes to issue is how those injuries were suffered. If the reason for such injuries is unknown, or outright unbelievable, you’ll want to consult with one of our elder abuse attorneys in our offices.

Bedsores
Bedsores are nearly completely preventable. They’re likely a sign that your family member is staying in the same position for protracted periods of time. Whoever is assigned to your family member isn’t paying sufficient attention to him or her. That might be intentional or unintentional, but in either case, it is considered neglect.

Emotional Abuse
If your loved one shows apathy, nervousness, fear or a poor relationship with staff, he or she might be experiencing emotional abuse. This type of abuse can consist of physical and verbal insults, threats or intimidation. Speak with one of our elder abuse lawyers at our office if you suspect emotional abuse.

Rapid Weight Loss
This is usually a clear sign of neglect or abuse. You should expect your family member to either keep their weight or even gain a bit. Rapid weight loss raises genuine questions on proper patient care. Speak with our elder abuse lawyers in Los Angeles about nursing home abuse or neglect right away.

Financial Exploitation
Missing money, unpaid bills and significant changes in estate plans all raise questions as to financial exploitation of an elderly person. Some elderly individuals are at high risk of being exploited financially. Monitor the money.

If you believe that your family member is being abused in a nursing home, contact our personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles. We’ll listen to you carefully and advise you of your legal options.