Questions for suspected cases of Virginia elder abuse / neglect

If you suspect that someone you know or love is being abused or neglected in a Virginia nursing home or assisted living facility, you probably want to know what you can do.

Suspected cases of Virginia elder abuse or neglect can be reported to your local department of social services or to the 24-hour Adult Protective Services hotline at 1-888-832-3858.  You can also speak with a skilled, compassionate nursing home abuse attorney about your concerns.

Here are some questions you can ask your elderly relative or friend if you think they might be willing to talk:

• Has anyone in the nursing home ever hurt you – a staff member, a visitor or another resident?
• Have any of the staff members touched you without your consent?
• Have any of the other residents touched you without your consent?
• Have any visitors touched you without your consent?
• Has anyone refused to give you your medication, or given you too little or too much?
• Have you ever been given medication that was not prescribed for you?
• Has anyone, staff, resident or visitor, ever taken anything of yours?
• Are you afraid of any of the staff members or other residents?
• Have you been asked to sign anything you did not understand?

If you are concerned about a suspected case of nursing home abuse or neglect in Virginia, do not despair – there is help available.  You can contact our office and speak with one of our experienced elder abuse lawyers confidentially for no cost or obligation.

Emotional abuse of nursing home residents is a crime in Virginia

When people think about elder abuse and neglect in Virginia, they often think of some kind of physical abuse, probably because the signs of physical abuse can be very obvious.  However, there are several types of abuse that are more difficult to detect, because the signs are not always clear or obvious.

Emotional elder abuse is one type of abuse that is difficult to spot, because so often there are no outward signs.  It can also be hard to prove.  However, it is a serious issue and if you suspect that it is happening you should take action.

Emotional abuse can be either verbal or non-verbal:

• Verbal intimidation through yelling or making threats
• Saying humiliating things
• Ridiculing a resident
• Ignoring a resident
• Isolating a resident from other people or activities they enjoy
• Frightening or terrorizing a resident

You may suspect elder abuse if you notice tension or arguments between an elder and the caregiver, or if the elder appears scared of a caregiver or staff member.  Personality changes in an elder, especially those that mimic dementia, can be a sign of emotional abuse.

Please get help if you suspect elder abuse of neglect of any kind, even if it is hard for you to determine exactly what is going on.  Our skilled Virginia nursing home abuse & neglect lawyers are here to help people just like you – contact us today at Weisberg & Zaleski.

Suspect nursing home abuse or neglect? What you can do

If you have a friend or loved one in a Virginia nursing home or assisted living facility, you are probably concerned about the possibility that they will suffer from abuse or neglect.  Even though this is an uncomfortable topic, it is important that you trust your instincts and take action if you suspect that an elder you know is being hurt.

Worried about abuse? Take action:

• Learn the warning signs of elder abuse and neglect.  If you see something suspicious, report it.
• Contact the Virginia Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman to report a suspected case of abuse.
• Contact an experienced attorney to discuss your concerns about nursing home abuse or neglect.
• Call or visit the facility as much as you can, or have a trusted friend of family member visit as often as possible.  Not only can you head off abuse by being around frequently, but the elder will grow to trust you enough to confess that abuse is happening.
• If caregivers appear stressed or if the nursing home appears short-staffed, raise your concerns with management.  Stress and lack of adequate staffing are two things that contribute to abuse and neglect of elderly residents.

Please read more about nursing home and assisted living abuse and neglect in our law library.  We have a large number of articles on a wide range of topics relevant to elder abuse and neglect.

Elder abuse and neglect is a crime.  Please contact our Norfolk based law office to take action and secure justice for your loved one.