False Imprisonment: Nursing Home Neglect

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The decision to move a senior relative to a nursing home is often be difficult and emotional for both the senior and the entire family. Oftentimes the senior becomes isolated from family because of distance or health issues that impact the ability to regularly communicate with the senior from a distance. Once you have moved the senior to a facility that you thought would take good care of him or her, it is then devastating to learn that the senior is in fact being abused or neglected by the staff of the nursing home. Senior abuse or neglect can come in several different forms, including false imprisonment. If you are concerned that your loved one is being subject to abuse or neglect at a nursing home facility, do not hesitate to contact a nursing home abuse attorney.

False imprisonment of a senior in a nursing home facility typically happens when the staff restricts the senior from traveling beyond a relatively confined area. For example, the senior may be prohibited from leaving his or her room or a specific wing of the facility. Or, the senior may be restrained so that he or she cannot leave the bed. In some cases while the staff does not prevent the senior from leaving the bed, room or wing, the senior has a physical limitation that prevents him or her from moving about without assistance, and the staff fails to provide assistance. In still other cases, the nursing home staff may threaten harm to the senior if he or she ventures beyond a designated area. Abuse of seniors is against the law. Furthermore, in Kentucky staff of senior facilities are required to report known or suspected abuse.

Signs of false imprisonment varies depending on the type of restriction and the physical condition of the senior. A senior who has been restricted to the bed for an extended period may suffer from bed sores. A senior who has been physically restrained may have bruises or marks from restraints on the arms or legs. Some seniors may also suffer from broken bones, malnutrition, dehydration, overmedication or injuries from falling. Seniors who have been threatened or otherwise verbally abused may show signs of fear, depression, anger, and self-doubt. They also make start to rock, suck or mumble.

Sadly, seniors often have a difficult time asserting their rights in the face of nursing home staff that abuses them. They also are frequently hesitant to report abuse to family members. They depend on staff for basic care such as providing food, medication, and personal care. Thus, many seniors fear that this basic care will cease should they challenge the staff. Furthermore, seniors often have medical problems that prevent them from alerting other members of staff or family that they are being treated poorly.

If you are concerned about how a loved one is being treated in a nursing home, it is critical that you contact a nursing home abuse attorney right away. An experienced attorney will be able to ensure that the neglect ceases and that the senior’s legal rights are respected.

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Andrew Mounier

Andrew Mounier is a Content Engineer and Author. He has worked in marketing for over a decade and finds his passion in bringing concepts to life for the world to enjoy. He is also an avid legal blogger and currently working on a book with his wife about social entrepreneurship. He is a true Socialpreneur and finds that his goal in life is to be an agent for positive social change through both his writing and business endeavors.