What to do if You Suspect Elderly Abuse in Victoria

Elder abuse and neglect can happen anywhere, even in Victoria, Texas. Failure to recognize or report signs of elder abuse and neglect can eventually lead to life-threatening situations and even fatalities. If you believe your loved one in Victoria is subject to elder abuse, it is imperative to contact a Victoria nursing home abuse lawyer as soon as possible to help you know what to do if you suspect elderly abuse in Victoria.

A competent nursing home negligence lawyer will have ample experience fighting elderly abuse cases and will fight tirelessly to ensure your loved one not only is free from abuse, but also receives compensation for their suffering.

It’s never too late to start looking for signs of nursing home abuse and educating yourself on some of the most common types. Being cognizant of these signs can help prevent your loved one in Victoria from suffering the effects of nursing home abuse and neglect.

• Physical appearance: A common sign of elderly abuse is the physical appearance of your loved one. Pay close attention when visiting and take notes of any sign of physical abuse, such as bruises, abrasions, bedsores, and recurring fractures. Never assume that the physical indications above are a result of a procedure. Be sure to always question the nursing home staff as well as your loved one when investigating your loved one’s physical appearance.
• Emotional withdrawal: Signs that your loved one could be suffering from emotional or psychological abuse include sudden and unexplained changes in mood or behavior, rocking or biting, withdrawal or lack of communication, or a sense of fear between your loved one and their caregiver.
• Financial issues: Pay close attention to the finances of your loved one. Some signs that your loved one could be being taken advantage of financially include missing belongings or money, unusual charges on credit cards, irregular withdrawals of cash, and the addition of others to your loved one’s bank accounts.
• Neglect: Neglect of the elderly the most common type of nursing home abuse. Signs that your loved one in Victoria is experiencing neglect can include unchanged clothes and bedsheets, unusual weight loss, am unclean living environment, foul odors, and unchanged diapers or undergarments.

Now that you are aware of some of the types of elderly abuse as well as the signs, it’s important to know what to do if you suspect elderly abuse in Victoria.

• Take notes: Keep a notepad with information about the visits and conversations you have had with your loved one. Detail the things that came across as red flags to you. These notes will be extremely important to your attorney as you begin to build your case against the nursing facility.
• Ask plenty of questions: Confront the caregivers or administration of the facility your loved one is staying in. They have a duty to take care of your loved one, and they should be fully equipped to answer any question you may have about your loved one’s living conditions and health. Confronting the facility can also keep them on their toes and ensure that they are providing your loved with the care and attention they deserve.
• Contact an attorney: Before reporting abuse or aggressively engaging a caregiver or facility, contact an experienced attorney from Carabin Shaw in Victoria. An attorney will not only help you to investigate and gather all of the information needed to present a substantial case, but will also serve as professional legal counsel as you put a stop to the abuse.

Your loved one is entitled to the utmost care and attention and should be receiving it day in and day out. If you are suspicious of Victoria nursing home negligence, do not waste any time. Contact an attorney with Carabin Shaw for the representation that you and your loved one will need. Our team of experts is equipped with over twenty years of experience fighting for those most vulnerable and winning their families the compensation they deserve.

Contact the law offices of Carabin Shaw in Victoria today at 361.485.1400 for a free consultation on your case.