What to do if You Suspect Nursing Home Neglect in San Antonio

In some family situations, a loved one in need of constant care cannot be looked after by another family member. Some will need to be taken care of by professional caregivers, depending on each of their individual circumstances. Many San Antonio families in this very common predicament will often turn to a nursing home for assistance and support. A San Antonio nursing home can be a wonderful blessing. Unfortunately, it can also be a source of pain and heartbreak.

The attorneys at Carabin Shaw are familiar with cases where beloved family members have been treated poorly. Cases of San Antonio nursing home negligence have been on the rise with the growing elderly population in San Antonio. While aging may be inevitable, substandard care in nursing homes should not be. Our attorneys are knowledgeable and understand how a situation where your loved one has suffered injuries through neglect could leave you feeling helpless. You want a lawyer who is experienced when going up against a nursing home that has turned out to be far less than what it might have presented itself to be.

What to do if you suspect nursing home neglect in San Antonio:

• It is a good idea to pay attention to the condition your loved one was in before entering the nursing home. This is something you can start doing as soon as you begin having suspicions that anything feels off or you think is not right.
• Talk to your loved one about their care. Be a present and good listener. Ask questions for clarification so as to not jump to conclusions.
• Take detailed notes during or right after your visit that include the date and time of your visit. Look around at the facility, common areas, and your family member’s room, and jot down what you notice. Being observant will serve your case.
• Break routine and try a surprise visit. While consistency with your visiting days are nice for your family member to look forward to, it makes it easier for staff to expect you and act accordingly.
• If you have been refused by staff members to see your loved one during visiting hours, ask to speak to the manager of the care facility.
• It helps to not make any threats and remain calm while discussing your concerns with the manager and staff as professionally as possible. If there is abuse occurring, you do not want to aggravate the situation for your loved one until you know more.
• If other family members are also visiting the nursing home have them do the same, compare notes with each other, and voice your concerns.
• If you feel your loved one is in imminent danger or are aware of criminal activity, call 911 and speak to the police. You can refer to the National Center on Elder Abuse for more information. The phone number for Texas nursing home neglect and elder abuse is 1.800.252.5400. Next, contact an attorney for legal representation and protection for your family.

Now that you have an understanding of what to do if you suspect nursing home neglect in San Antonio, you know there is support for you and your loved one. If you need further assistance to help your family member, contact Carabin Shaw and to speak with a San Antonio nursing home attorney. There are many types of neglect that can arise from San Antonio nursing homes with their own signs and symptoms:

• Physical abuse: Obvious, but not always easy to detect. Bruises, cuts, broken bones, and ‘accidents’ that happen far too frequently are all red flags.
• Improper hygiene: Fairly obvious. Bad body odor, soiled clothes, unkempt hair or room are all signs that staff are not properly addressing facility cleanliness or the personal needs of residents.
• Improper nutrition: Weak, sickly, gaunt appearance may be a sign of malnutrition. Observe meals given to your loved one, and consult a doctor’s opinion.
• Overmedication: This is a serious breach of care, and a dangerous one at that. Watch for abnormal shifts in behavior, or if your family member is uncharacteristically placid or withdrawn.
• Emotional abuse: Emotional and psychological abuse difficult to detect, but are just as harmful as physical abuse. Observe behavior, and look for signs of depression or anxiety around others, especially specific staff members.

Being repeatedly psychologically or physically abused can lead to a rapid decline in health and well-being for anyone, and especially the elderly. It is heartbreaking when it happens to our loved ones who now depend on a caregiver for a decent quality of life.

If you have more questions or need assistance in figuring out what to do if you suspect nursing home neglect in San Antonio, contact our attorneys Carabin Shaw of San Antonio at 210-222-2288 or toll-free at 800-862-1260, anytime day or night. We are available to speak to you in English or in Spanish, and we would be happy to help you with your next steps.

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