Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer: Protecting the Elderly in Houston
Specialized caregiving facilities are quite common in the United States, with over 2.1 million elderly adults in nursing homes, senior communities, and assisted living centers. However, many people who take their aging loved ones for exceptional care and comfort often learn a horrible truth about the industry: nursing home abuse.
This problem is more common than you think- silently looming over their safety and well-being. It robs them of their security and dignity and sometimes even takes away their precious lives. According to the NCOA, approximately 5 million elderly individuals in the US are abused annually. Moreover, nearly 1 in 10 elderly abuse cases occur in nursing homes.
So, if your elderly family member has been victimized and abused in a nursing home, take immediate action. You should seek assistance from a compassionate and experienced Houston personal injury law attorney.
It’s time to say no to mistreatment and ensure nursing care facilities provide a haven for our aging loved ones. Read on to learn more about nursing home abuse.
Types of Nursing Home Abuse
Unfortunately, elderly individuals in Houston sometimes suffer from abuse in nursing homes where they are supposed to be cared for. And what’s even more saddening is that they often put up with the mistreatment and abusive behavior silently because of cognitive impairments, dependence on others, and frailty. They feel helpless and hopeless.
Vulnerable seniors are abused in nursing homes by staff members who have a duty of care towards them. They are manipulated and exploited in multiple ways. The most common types of abuse are:
Physical Abuse
It is associated with any intentional pain and injury caused by caregivers to the old residents of the facility. These may include actions like slapping, kicking, hitting, and pushing.
Sexual Abuse
As the name suggests, this type of abuse at the nursing home refers to any undesirable form of contact between the old facility member and another individual without their consent. Hence, sexual abuse may include fondling, forced nudity, unwanted touching, and raping.
Emotional Abuse
Emotional abuse includes behaviors that cause emotional pain or distress. It is as damaging as physical abuse. It consists of the following:
- Verbal assaults, insults, or threats
- Humiliation or ridicule
- Isolation from friends and family
- Intimidation or harassment
Some of the many signs that indicate your elderly loved one has been emotionally abused are their withdrawal from social activities, unusual depression or anxiety, and fear or anxiety around certain staff members.
Financial Abuse
This refers to the unauthorized or improper use of a resident’s funds, property, or assets. This includes
- Stealing money or personal belongings
- Forging signatures on financial documents
- Coercing or deceiving residents into signing documents
- Misusing power of attorney or guardianship
Such actions undermine the financial security and well-being of vulnerable elderly residents.
Schedule a Consultation With Our Experienced Houston Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
J. Jackson Law Offices recognizes the sensitivities and complexities surrounding nursing home abuse cases. Hence, we relentlessly defend the rights and dignity of our clients. We strive to get our senior clients justice while holding the responsible individuals accountable for their suffering. Schedule a consultation to discuss your case with our nursing home abuse lawyer and learn about the legal options available in your situation.