We expect nursing homes to treat our elderly loved ones with proper care, dignity, and respect. Despite our expectations, nursing home abuse and neglect remain serious issues that affect vulnerable seniors across South Carolina. If you suspect that your loved one has endured abuse or neglect in their nursing home, let us guide you through your next steps.
What Are the Common Signs of Nursing Home Abuse?
Approximately 10% of elder residents in the state experience some form of mistreatment each year, and many cases go unreported. Nursing home abuse can take various forms, including physical, emotional, sexual, and financial abuse.
Victims of physical nursing home abuse may develop unexplained bruises, cuts, burns, or broken bones. Even if you don’t see any physical signs, pay close attention if your loved one appears fearful or shows sudden behavioral changes when certain staff members are present.
If your family member goes unusually quiet when specific caregivers enter the room or exhibits new behaviors that resemble dementia, you may have grounds to suspect emotional abuse. This sort of treatment might also manifest as withdrawal, depression, unusual silence, or agitation.
If you suspect financial abuse of your elderly loved one, look for unexpected changes to financial documents, missing personal belongings, unusual banking activity, or sudden changes to their wills or powers of attorney.
How Can I Identify Signs of Nursing Home Neglect?
Neglect differs from intentional abuse because it usually involves a lack of action rather than a directly abusive interaction, but neglect can still harm residents in major ways. If you suspect neglect, look for the following signs:
- Unwashed clothes or bedding
- Weight loss
- Dehydration
- Untreated medical conditions
- Poor hygiene, such as a lack of bathing, dirty fingernails, matted hair, or soiled clothing
What Legal Rights Do Nursing Home Residents Have?
Nursing home residents have significant legal protections under federal and state laws: The federal Nursing Home Reform Act codifies each nursing home resident’s right to freedom from abuse, mistreatment, and neglect. Meanwhile, South Carolina’s Bill of Rights for Residents of Long-Term Care Facilities provides specific protections for nursing home residents in the state, including freedom from abuse and neglect, appropriate medical care, privacy, and the right to file complaints without fear of retaliation.
What Steps Should I Take if I Suspect Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect?
If you suspect abuse or neglect in your elderly loved one’s nursing home, take the following actions:
- Document everything you observe by taking photographs of any visible injuries or concerning conditions, and note down the dates, times, and related nursing home personnel.
- Report your concerns to the nursing home administrators, and keep a copy of all communications for your records.
- Contact South Carolina’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program; this program investigates complaints against nursing homes without charge.
- In cases of serious abuse or neglect, contact local law enforcement immediately. The police can investigate potential criminal violations and help ensure your loved one’s safety.
- Consider getting in touch with an elder law attorney to help you understand the full scope of your loved one’s legal rights, handle the regulatory landscape, and pursue appropriate remedies on your loved one’s behalf.
Justice for Nursing Home Abuse with Willcox, Buyck & Williams, PA
If your loved one has suffered abuse or neglect in a nursing home setting, trust the attorneys at Willcox, Buyck & Williams, PA to approach your case with compassion and determination to hold the offending nursing home accountable. Our firm has served South Carolina communities since 1895, building a reputation for integrity and dedication in protecting our clients’ rights.
Fill out our online contact form or call us at our offices in Florence or in Myrtle Beach for a free, confidential consultation. Your loved one deserves dignity, respect, and justice—and we’re here to help.