Nursing home abuse occurs far more often than most families realize. The sad reality is long-term care facilities are businesses like any other, and they tend to prioritize profits above all else. This can lead to poor hiring practices, inadequate training, and chronic understaffing, all of which can impact residents in a hugely negative way.
If your loved one was abused at the hands of nursing home staff, it’s natural to be angry. You didn’t move him or her into the facility, after all, to receive substandard care.
Thankfully, your family may have legal recourse. With help from a nursing home abuse attorney, you may be able to file a claim against the facility and ultimately hold them liable for all the suffering the victim incurred.
Of course, even if this ends up being the route you take, your first priority will always be your loved one. While it’s wise to call a lawyer as soon as possible so you can get your case underway, it’s also important that you support the victim every step of the way. Here are some of the most effective strategies for doing just that:
Assuming the threat is still present at the facility, your loved one should move out as soon as possible. If the other nursing homes in the area have lengthy waiting lists, consider moving him or her back home and arranging for a home health aide to come out and provide ongoing care until a room opens up.
While abuse can leave a lasting impact, removing the victim from the situation will provide at least some immediate relief.
Once your loved one’s physical condition has stabilized, you should arrange for a mental health checkup. Call out a professional who specializes in the kind of abuse the victim suffered.
Not everyone is receptive to talk therapy, but having at least a few sessions will give your loved one the opportunity to start processing what happened. It should also leave him or her with some tools for coping with any associated stress or anxiety.
It’s easy to get stuck in negative thought loops when trauma is all you have to focus on. Try to brighten your loved one’s day—and remind your family members to do the same—as often as possible. Get some of his or her favorite snacks, for example, or work on a puzzle or model airplane project together. The more joy you can provide, the more the trauma will feel like a distant memory.
If you have reason to believe your loved one is being mistreated at his or her long-term care facility, turn to Hodge & Langley Law Firm. Our resourceful team will conduct a comprehensive investigation and then explain your legal options based on our findings. Call 864-585-3873 or submit our Contact Form to schedule a free initial consultation with a nursing home abuse attorney in South Carolina.
Submission of information in this contact form does not establish an attorney-client relationship. In order to establish such a relationship with our firm we require a direct meeting with the attorney.
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