Attorney Joe Stanley Illustrates Warning Signs of Elder Abuse and Neglect

On November 1, 2016, a new nursing home law went into effect. Before this law, nursing homes could not be sued if funded publicly by Medicaid, meaning an elder could be neglected and/or abused and the nursing home was not accountable. Now, however, federally funded nursing homes can be held accountable for elder abuse and neglect.

“Neglect and abuse may not be obvious at first, since injuries do happen from time to time, but there are some major signs to look for,” said attorney Joe Stanley, founder of The Stanley Law Offices, LLP.

In order to help families and friends of loved ones in nursing homes recognize the signs of elder abuse or neglect, Stanley lists the following four tips:

No. 1: Bed sores and bruising. “Strange markings or sores do not typically appear without a reason,” stressed Stanley. “If there’s no obvious cause for the injury, this could be the result of ignored residents.”

No. 2: Dehydration or malnutrition. If a loved one in a nursing home seems to be hungry, thirsty or simply looks malnourished, this is an immediate sign of neglect. “Getting essential vitamins and nutrition is part of a caring, nurturing environment,” added Stanley.

No. 3: Visible fear. “Your relative should be content and happy if they are in good hands,” noted Stanley. “If he or she seems upset or scared when you visit, it could be a sign of verbal and/or physical mistreatment.”

No. 4: Unexplained death or illness. “If your loved one has suddenly passed away or becomes sick without previously having symptoms, it may be time to question the living environment,” concluded Stanley.

About The Stanley Law Offices, LLP 

The Stanley Law Offices, LLP has five offices located in central New York and northern Pennsylvania, including Syracuse, Binghamton, Watertown and Rochester, NY, as well as Montrose, PA. The firm focuses on personal injury law, workers’ compensation and accident-related law.

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