I am constantly reminded that abuse of nursing home residents is a significant problem. This post serves as a great reminder to all those who have loved ones or friends in nursing home facilities: There are at least three key signs of nursing home abuse: 

• Bedsores. Bedsores, or "decubitus ulcers," are NOT normal, no matter how bedridden a nursing home resident is. Unless a doctor indicates bedsores are unavoidable, which should never be the case, a person who enters a nursing home or other facility without bedsores should not develop them during their time in the facility. Bedsores can lead to serious infection and even death.

• Unexplained Injuries. Skin tears, bruises and fractured bones may be caused by inadequate care or physical abuse. Careless transport to and from bed is often the culprit as is physical abuse. Improper or inadequate staffing levels oftentimes lead to these types of injuries.

• Inexplicable Depression. Mental abuse doesn’t leave any physical marks, but is nevertheless a problem in nursing home facilities. When a resident is spoken to in belittling, derogatory, intimidating or disrespectful ways, this constitutes mental and emotional abuse.

If you have a loved one or friend in a nursing home facility, please be alert to these signs and symptoms of abuse. Oftentimes, nursing home residents can’t protect themselves let alone communicate abuse is occurring. It is up to all of us to be alert.

If you suspect your loved one or friend is the victim of abuse, contact the administrator of the facility, law enforcement and the state authorities. If an attorney is needed, please consider Kormanik Hallam & Sneed.