It is a disturbing thought to know that a loved one in a nursing facility in Massachusetts is being abused or neglected. This is because the elderly, disabled and infirm are the most vulnerable individuals in society who often lose their ability to defend themselves against those that cause them harm.

Nursing home care abuse and neglect in Massachusetts and Rhode Island has many forms, but all cause some type of damage that results in physical, emotional or financial harm. Data accumulated by the 2010 census indicates that 13 percent of the U.S. population, or more than 40 million individuals, have reached the age of 65 years or older. Because the aging population is exploding in serious numbers, the need for nursing home care has never been greater.

Many families in RI and Mass. are left to place their loved one in a nursing facility because no other options are available. They believe the care giving home will provide a safe and loving environment.

Signs of Abuse

Mistreatment of the elderly, injured or disabled is defined as any intentional act that causes the venerable victim harm or creates the potential risk of harm, even if it is not intended, which is caused by an individual in a trusting relationship to the person. This includes caregivers in a nursing facility who fail to satisfy the basic needs of the individual or protect them from harm. Mistreatment includes the deprivation of services, unreasonable confinement, and inflictions of injury, intimidation, mental anguish or any type of punishment that causes physical harm.

The most common signs of abuse whether physical, mental or verbal include:

• Dehydration or malnutrition,
• Bed injury,
• Infection,
• Asphyxiation,
• Wandering or elopement events,
• Residents who are extremely withdrawn, emotionally upset, non-communicative or agitated,
• Head injuries, fractures and bruising,
• Injuries caused by falls,
• Bedsores, pressure ulcers, pressure sores and decubitus ulcers,
• Signs of rapid weight gain or weight loss,
• Unexpected or unexplained death,
• Any unexplained injury including a welt, bruise, cut or wound in the process of healing
• The desire to be isolated away from others,
• A sudden or unusual change in the resident’s behavior including rocking, biting, sucking, or the fear of physical contact,
• Unclean or unsanitary conditions,
• A reluctance to communicate in the presence of a staff member.

An unexpected transfer to the hospital or any injury that requires emergency medical treatment can also be signs of physical abuse. So too can any indication that the individual is heavily sedated or over-medicated, or a nursing home resident who is frequently sick or has any sickness not immediately reported to the family or physician.

Preventing Nursing Home Care Abuse in Massachusetts (MA)

The first solution to preventing abuse and keeping the resident safe is to recognize its obvious signs. Many signs of physical negligence involved bed suffocation or falls is the nursing facility two specific forms of neglect that are easily prevented.

Next, if the resident is known to be a high risk, health care givers at the facility should check on the individual frequently. The staff is required to pay close attention to everyone under their care in the nursing home and promptly resolve any safety or sanitary concerns. To avoid patient suffocation, the nursing facility staff must check on the resident’s mattress routinely so it remains flush with the bed rails and bed frame. Every patient in the facility should be consistently monitored to detect any mental ability or mobility changes, and check for any developing medical problems.

If Abuse Is Suspected

If you believe your loved one residing in a nursing facility has been neglected or abused, you need to take immediate action. This requires verifying their story, informing authorities, considering moving them to a different facility and filing a complaint with every appropriate agency.

Finally, it is essential to hire a MA nursing home abuse attorney or Massachusetts personal injury lawyer who specializes in elder neglect, nursing home law, consumer fraud and personal injuries. A skilled reputable Massachusetts nursing home neglect lawyer can protect the rights of your loved one and hold the alleged abusers accountable for their reckless actions.

https://www.census.gov/content/dam/Census/library/publications/2014/demo/p23-212.pdf

Legal Notice per Rules of Professional Responsibility: The Rhode Island Supreme Court licenses all lawyers and attorneys in the general practice of law, but does not license or certify any lawyer / attorney as an expert or specialist in any field of practice. While this firm maintains joint responsibility, most cases of this type are referred to other attorneys for principle responsibility.