The surge in our aging population has significantly increased reliance on home health care services, leading to an increased risk of neglect and abuse. Examples of home health care abuse include physical, emotional, sexual, and financial abuse. While most caregivers provide excellent services, there’s an alarming rise in abuse and fraud in home health care. If your family member receives home health care services, you must familiarize yourself with potential warning signs of home health care abuse. If you suspect abuse or neglect, please get in touch with an experienced elder abuse lawyer at Senior Justice Law Firm.
Identifying Types of Home Health Care Abuse
Home health care workers must undergo training and licensing. Their curriculum and teachers will define abuse for home health care providers. To better understand what to look for, here’s a more in-depth look at the most common types of abuse with home health care.
Physical Abuse
Physical abuse may involve unexplained injuries, recurrent hospital visits, poor hygiene, or malnutrition. The patient may exhibit increased fear, agitation, or significant mood swings around the caregiver.
Emotional Abuse
Emotional abuse is usually harder to detect. It can involve demeaning language, constant yelling, humiliation, or isolation. Victims often exhibit signs of depression and increased anxiety and might even regress into childlike behavior.
Financial Abuse
Financial abuse entails unauthorized access to the patient’s financial resources, such as mismanagement of accounts, unexplained transactions, or changes to the victim’s estate plans. It is critical to monitor for unexplained checks to the caregiver, uncharacteristic account activities, or unanticipated financial difficulties.
Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse includes non-consensual sexual activities, from inappropriate touching to sexual assault. This abuse could result in physical signs like unexplained bleeding, soiled undergarments, unexplained STDs, or psychological signs, such as sudden fearfulness.
Taking Action Against Home Health Care Abuse
If you suspect your loved one is a home health care abuse victim, immediate action is necessary. The first step is reporting suspicions to the home health care agency and local health departments. However, pursuing a civil claim against the perpetrator can help victims recover compensation for damages, such as emotional trauma, physical injuries, or financial losses.
Contact Senior Justice Law Firm
At Senior Justice Law Firm, we understand the heartache home health care abuse can inflict, and we are committed to standing up for victims’ rights. If you suspect a problem or have questions about the examples of home health care abuse, please contact our office to schedule an appointment. Our experienced attorneys will meticulously evaluate your claim during a free initial consultation. We’ll outline your possible legal avenues and discuss the next steps.
Our legal team will be there for you during every phase of the legal process. We will diligently investigate the case, gather necessary evidence, and strive to hold the abuser accountable for the harm caused. And you don’t need to pay any upfront legal fees either. At Senior Justice Law Firm, we operate on a contingency basis. That means you pay no fees unless we obtain compensation on your family’s behalf.
We are here to fight for justice for your loved ones and help restore their dignity and peace of mind. Reach out to us today for the support and legal guidance you need.
