In the past few years as a result of individuals becoming more technologically savvy, there have been cases of family members putting hidden cameras in their loved one’s nursing home rooms to document abuse.
Last summer, a North Carolina woman suspected that her 86-year-old mother wasn’t receiving proper care in her nursing home, so she installed a camera and caught two instances of abuse within 24 hours. The camera showed a nursing assistant yelling at her mother and violently abusing her.
In Texas last month, a woman placed a hidden camera in her 93-year-old mother’s room after her mother told her that someone was hurting her. One of her mother’s caretakers was heard verbally abusing her mother and laughing about it, the daughter claimed.
Recently, a bill sponsored by Senator Jim Runestad was proposed to allow the placement of cameras inside nursing homes, which is creating controversy between legislators and nursing homes. Legislators hope to prevent more instances of elder abuse, while nursing homes argue that surveilling a room violates resident rights to privacy.
A study by Cornell University suggested that recording devices could insinuate a general distrust of nursing home employees, which would further harm an industry that is already having a difficult time retaining employees – national turnover rates are between 43-86% for nursing home facilities.
Signs of Nursing Home Abuse
Because not all families have cameras installed in their loved ones’ rooms, there are a few signs to be aware of that may imply they’re being neglected or abused while you’re not around.
Warning signs to look out for include:
- Dry or cracked lips, which can imply dehydration
- Your loved one is telling you they’re being hurt
- Unexplained signs of injury such as bruises or welts
- Broken bones or sprains
- Broken eyeglasses
- Your loved one is depressed or scared
- A report of drug overdose or failure to take medication regularly
Protecting Families for Decades
Suspect that your loved one is being abused or neglected in their nursing home? Call the caring lawyers at Goeing Goeing & McQuinn PLLC. Older adults in their “golden years” should be entitled to relaxing moments and kindness from others, not abuse as a result of their elderly age. Many nursing home workers take advantage of their residents who are too frail or lack the mental capacity to stand up for themselves. Our lawyers have years of experience in protecting families and can hold the guilty parties responsible for the pain they’ve inflicted.
Call Goeing Goeing & McQuinn PLLC at (859) 253-0088, or contact us online to reach an experienced personal injury lawyer who wants to hear your story. With over 40 decades of combined experience, our attorneys have recovered compensation for countless clients in their time of need, and we want to be here for you next. During your darkest times, we can stand by your side.