La Mesa Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect Lawyers

Located within San Diego County, La Mesa is a beautiful area known for its support of the arts and its rich culture. And like most parts of the country, La Mesa has a large population of residents who are 65 years of age and older - an age group that is growing nationwide.

As people age, they often require care that cannot be provided by family members and other loved ones, especially if they suffer from a physical or mental disability. In order to provide elderly persons with the care they need and deserve, many families make the decision to place loved ones in a nursing home. While nursing homes are designed to provide a high level of around-the-clock care, this is not always the case. Sadly, some nursing homes are poorly managed, and nursing home abuse or neglect are pervasive problems. If you believe that your loved one is a victim of nursing home abuse or neglect, please reach out to our lawyers at the offices of the Southern California Nursing Home Law Group directly today for a free consultation and an overview of your legal options. Our La Mesa nursing home abuse and neglect attorneys are here to serve you.

How to Recognize Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect

Nursing home abuse and neglect can be difficult to recognize, especially as a deterioration in a nursing home patient’s condition may be expected in some cases. While this may be the case, it is still important to be vigilant and to pay attention to any signs of abuse or neglect. Some signs of abuse or neglect to watch for include:

• Malnutrition and/or dehydration, often leading to weight loss and sickness;
• Infections;
• Bedsores and pressure ulcers;
• Injuries;
• Multiple falls;
• Bruises, cuts, lacerations, or other injuries;
• Torn or bloodied clothing and undergarments;
• Poor personal hygiene; and
• Behavior changes in the resident, such as signs of fear, distrust, anger, or depression.

Tips for Preventing Elder Abuse

While the onus is not on family members to prevent elder abuse, there are a few things that you can do to reduce the risk of your loved one becoming a victim of nursing home abuse or neglect. These include:

• Thoroughly research nursing homes before making a decision. Before deciding where your loved one will live, you should take your time to thoroughly research all nursing homes that you are considering. If a nursing home has a history of complaints, lawsuits, or penalties from the state, do not select it!
• Visit regularly. The more often that you visit, the more that you will be able to see. What is more, a staff member that may otherwise be tempted to engage in abuse may be discouraged by your frequent presence.
• Pay attention to the facility. When you visit your loved one, pay attention to the nursing home facility. Is the facility clean and well-maintained? Do nursing home residents seem happy and well cared for? Is there an adequate staff-to-patient ratio?
• Talk to your loved one. A nursing home resident may not be open about being a victim of abuse or neglect. They may be ashamed about the abuse, or feel guilty burdening a loved one with it. Make sure that your loved one feels comfortable with you and remind them that you are available to talk and support them no matter what.

Steps to Take if You Suspect Abuse or Neglect in the Nursing or Assisted Living Facility

If you do suspect that elder abuse or neglect in La Mesa is occurring, it is important that you speak up and take action sooner rather than later. Recommendations include:

• Document all signs of abuse, as well as any interactions you have had with nursing home staff members pertaining to the abuse;
• Report your suspicions to the nursing home administrator;
• File a report with the California Department of Public Health (skilled nursing facilities) or the Department of Social Services (assisted living facilities);
• Remove your loved one from the nursing home if appropriate;
• Call the police if you believe that your loved one is at risk of imminent harm; and
• Call a La Mesa nursing home abuse and neglect lawyer as soon as possible.

Call Our La Mesa Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Lawyers Today

Nursing home abuse and neglect are very serious and can be devastating even deadly for an elderly person and their family members. When nursing home abuse and neglect lead to harm, a civil action for damages may be appropriate. At the office of the Southern California Nursing Home Law Group, our La Mesa elder neglect attorneys can provide you with support and guidance as you navigate the process. Reach our team today online or by phone for your free consultation.

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