Nursing home abuse occurs far more frequently than you might think. In fact, over two million cases of elder abuse are reported every year. Nearly one in ten elderly persons will experience some form of elder abuse in their lifetime.

Unfortunately, elder abuse is also notoriously underreported. That means that it may occur even more frequently than we know. One of the best ways to report and prevent elder abuse is to look for signs in your loved one of abuse.

Below are a few signs that you should watch for that may signal abuse. While they may also be indications of other conditions or problems that may warrant additional investigation regarding potential abuse.

If your loved one is being abused in a nursing home, whether it is physical or verbal, he or she may show signs of emotional trauma. This may include feelings of agitation or becoming upset easily. He or she may also become withdrawn, noncommunicative, or may not want to interact with you physically. If your loved one used to give you a hug every time you stopped by, but now has no interest in hugging you, that could be a sign of a bigger problem.

Loved ones who are physically abused may show signs of abuse through bruising, abrasions, or sprains or strains. Ask your loved one how they got this particular injury. If they do not want to tell you about it or they have an odd response, ask more questions. Your loved one may be too embarrassed or proud to admit what really happened. While accidents happen, patterns of injuries could be a sign of physical abuse.

If physical or mental abuse is taking place, your loved one may be afraid to be around their caretaker. They may not want to say or do anything in their presence. They may act visibly scared, nervous, or uncomfortable around an abusive caretaker as well.

The staff’s actions at a nursing home can also indicate whether there is a problem. If they do not let you see your loved one without calling ahead or they refuse to leave the room when you visit, that could be a sign that they do not want your loved one talking about abuse or neglect. They may not like unplanned visits because they have no time to cover up or deal with tell-tale signs of abuse or neglect as well.

You shouldn’t take your loved one’s complaints about a nursing home lightly. Listen to your loved one if he or she reports abuse to you—even if you think such an accusation may be unfounded. Do some extra digging. You owe it to your loved one.

You can also call Rodriguez Law, P.L. We can do some investigation for you and discuss your loved one’s potential legal options with you. One of those options may be to assert a personal injury claim. Give us a call at (305) 262-8226 to learn more.