Nursing home abuse happens on a daily basis, even in the smallest and friendliest of Texas towns. Those to whom we entrust our loved ones’ health often take advantage of their positions as nursing home nurses, aides, or caretakers. Our own family members may be facing mistreatment, abuse, or degradation — but we don’t have to sit back and wait for bad news.

If you suspect a nursing home or other elder care facility is not caring for your loved one properly, you have anti-abuse laws on your side. The trick may lie in discovering signs of abuse, pinpointing their causes, and proving that mistreatment occurred.

Signs of Abuse

Nursing home abuse can range from verbal abuse to physical abuse and neglect. Here, the lines may seem fuzzy for residents and family members, especially if there are no physical signs of harm.

Here are just a few of the common signs of abuse or neglect:

· Bruises, cuts, scrapes, welts, and chaffing

· Broken bones, cracked ribs, and other physical injuries

· Bedsores

· Depression and attitude changes

· Weight loss

· Refusal to take visitors

· Shyness or withdrawn behavior, lack of social interaction, and lack of enthusiasm

· Medication errors

· Unsanitary conditions or poor personal hygiene

· Infections

· Dehydration or nutritional deficits

· Unexplained sedation or medical procedures performed without consent

Our elderly deserve better

The in-depth investigational tactics needed to uncover and show abuse are very difficult to maneuver and put into play. An experienced Texas nursing home negligence attorney can spearhead a full investigation and put the facility in the spotlight. If abuse is happening to your loved one, scrutiny from a legal team can help make sure the abuse stops. In many cases, facilities are shut down, especially when management and owners are found to have played a part in or had knowledge that abuse was happening.

Take a stand against abuse

Family members may feel helpless against institution abuse. For one thing, you may never actually see the abuse happening. Your family member may be evasive and downplay any signs of abuse, most likely as a result of embarrassment or not wanting to become a burden. You may get the run-around from staff members and feel that an investigation is impossible with no real proof.

Find an attorney right away

Time is of the essence in nursing home abuse cases. You never know how much danger your loved one is behind closed doors, or how many other residents may be subjected to unfair and indecent treatment. When choosing an attorney team to investigate your suspicions, make sure you choose a Texas attorney who has a solid record of holding facilities accountable.