Placing your senior parent in a nursing home is a tough decision to make. But, in some scenarios, this measure is unavoidable, as you may not be capable of providing your parent with the care and attention they need. For instance, they may have developed problems with their mobility and would require round-the-clock care to ensure they can get from one point to another. Alternatively, they may require constant assistance to get through everyday tasks, so it would be better to have them enrolled in a nursing home.

The last thing you would want to worry about is your parent being mistreated at the nursing home. Yet, this is a rampant problem that many families are facing. But how can you tell if you need to hire an elder abuse lawyer? Here are some red flags signaling that your parent may be suffering from elder abuse at their nursing home.

You can see signs of physical harm

Unquestionably, the foremost symptom that people start looking for when they suspect that their loved one is undergoing elder abuse is visible injuries on their body. Thus, this is usually the leading identifier of this problem. Some of the things that you can look for include pressure marks that leave the surrounding skin pale, colorful bruises, welts, and even scars if the elder abuse has been going on for a prolonged period.

In the worst-case scenario, your parent may have even acquired one or more broken bones. The instant that you can pinpoint signs of physical harm, it is integral that you reach out to an elder abuse lawyer, as they will need to collect evidence for your case.

You notice a stark transformation in their personality or behavior

The second red flag of elder abuse that you can look for that is much subtler than signs of injuries on your loved one is changes to their personality or their behavior. For example, your parent may have had a jovial personality and outgoing behavior, but you notice they have steadily become reclusive and do not want to engage with you when you visit them.

Rather than automatically assume that your parent is upset with you, you may want to consider external factors that are affecting their sociability. Another sign you may notice is your parent suddenly becoming agitated when a caregiver approaches. Reaching out to an elder abuse lawyer is advisable, as they will know how to determine if abuse is occurring and the extent of it.