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How can you “move on” after nursing home abuse in Virginia?

It can be devastating to deal with the reality that a beloved family member was mistreated in a Virginia nursing home or assisted living facility, but it can be even harder to “move on” and get your life back to “normal” afterwards. It can be especially difficult to move past what happened if your loved one was seriously hurt or died because of the abuse or neglect they suffered.

The most important thing for you to realize is that there is no “one size fits all” roadmap for returning to your “normal” life after a case of nursing home abuse or neglect. Different people recover in different ways, and the amount of time it will take for you to feel like you can move on will vary from the next person.

  1. Focus on what you can control, not the things you cannot change. You can’t go back in time and change what happened. It is important that you avoid focusing on things that you cannot change, and instead focus on what you can change. If your loved one is still alive, you can work with them to help them recover, or at the very least spend time with them as they cope with the tragedy they’ve experienced.
  2. Don’t blame yourself, and don’t let the victim blame him or herself either. You can spend a lot of time playing the “what-if” game – what if you had noticed something was wrong sooner, what if you had visited more often, what if you had never put your family member in a home in the first place. This is similar to the above point – don’t waste your time thinking about the things you can’t change, and above all do not blame yourself. It is also important that you make sure your loved one does not blame his or herself for what happened.
  3. Be realistic. This one can be tough. After your loved one has suffered from abuse or neglect, the idea of keeping them in a nursing home may seem horrific. However, you must be realistic. Can you care for them, or can somebody else care for them? There is probably a reason they were put in the home in the first place, as some residents need the kind of experienced, round the clock care that you cannot provide. Again, focus on what you can control – finding a great nursing home where your loved one will be well cared for.

There is no quick way to take away the pain and horror of nursing home abuse or neglect. If you or your abused family member are suffering greatly after the abuse or neglect, you may want to seek professional counseling to help you get through this difficult time. You may also want to find a support group of people who have experienced what you’ve been through, so you feel less alone.

If you are ready to talk to an experienced, compassionate nursing home abuse attorney in the Norfolk / Virginia Beach / Chesapeake area, please call our office today. We will handle your situation discreetly, and we will help you move past this terrible situation.




Michael S. Weisberg, P.C.
112 College Place
Norfolk, VA 23510
Phone: (757) 622-7740
Fax: (757) 533-9223
Toll Free: (800) 690-0235
Email: info@weislaw.com
www.weislaw.com