As Nursing Home Visits Resume, Family Members Need To Be Alert For Signs Of Abuse and Neglect

After being quarantined from family and friends due to concerns over COVID-19, Florida nursing home residents can once again enjoy visits. While family members will be looking forward to joyful reunions, there are serious issues you need to be alert for during these visits. Nursing home abuse and neglect are unfortunately common and not being allowed visitors in recent months put older adults at increased risk.

Restrictions Against Visits Lifted At Florida Nursing Homes

As older adults are at high risk for contracting COVID-19 and are more likely to suffer severe and potentially life-threatening symptoms, they were encouraged to isolate themselves early on in the pandemic. For nursing home residents, this meant restrictions against in-person visits. For more than six months now, families have had to be content seeing their loved ones either online or through windows at facilities.

Fortunately, efforts at reducing the spread have been successful and the overall number of cases lately has dropped significantly. As a result, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced on September 1, 2020 that he was lifting nursing home visit restrictions. According to the Florida Health Department, in-person visits may now resume, provided there are no cases at the facility and case counts among the general public numbers remain low. While residents and family members are looking forward to visits, there are serious issues that may need addressing.

Nursing home abuse and neglect impacted millions of older adults each year. The isolation residents faced during the pandemic increases their overall risks. When visiting, it is important for family members and friends to be alert for the following:

Bumps, bruises, or cuts on their loved one;
Increased anxiety and agitation;
Appearing fearful or angry with certain caregivers at the facility;
An unkempt appearance and being withdrawn or depressed;
Untreated illnesses or injuries;
General overall declines in their health and well-being.

Protecting Older Adults Against Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect

According to the National Council on Aging, more than one out of 10 older adults reports suffering some type of abuse or neglect. As many victims are too embarrassed to admit what has happened, the actual numbers are likely much higher.

If you suspect abuse has occurred or see signs during your visits, it is important to take the following steps:

Notify the nursing home administrator immediately so that an injury report can be filed;
If they do not do so, contact local law enforcement officials;
Insist on finding out who is responsible for the abuse;
Take the steps to protect your loved one, such as having new caregivers assigned or transferring them from the facility;
Contact our Daytona Beach personal injury attorneys.

Let Us Help You Today

At Bundza & Rodriguez, P.A., we provide the trusted guidance and professional legal representation you need to hold those at fault accountable when nursing home abuse and neglect occurs. Call or contact our Daytona Beach nursing home abuse attorneys online to request a consultation today.

Resource:

floridahealth.gov/newsroom/2020/09/090120-2159-covid19.pr.html

https://www.daytonalawyers.com/know-the-signs-of-nursing-home-abuse-and-how-to-stop-it/