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Making the decision to leave a loved one in the care of a nursing home is not an easy choice for many individuals. Still, many people, and sometimes the elderly themselves, find moving to a nursing home to be the best option based on their particular needs. There are many well-run nursing homes that abide by state standards and laws; however, unfortunately, there are many facilities in Florida that violate the law.

Fort Myers personal injury lawyers will tell you that nursing home abuse is a very serious problem in Florida and many other states in the U.S. Some facilities are cited for issues that range from neglect to sexual and physical abuse. In other cases, some are subject to financial abuse, which can involve stealing a nursing home resident's personal information to withdrawing cash from a bank or conducting some other type of business.

Despite the fact that many nursing home violations have been noticed, there are plenty more that go unreported. Why? In some cases, the victims themselves, as well as their friends and loved ones, might not be aware that the abuse has taken place. That said, it is crucial for the elderly and their loved ones to be aware of some of the rules and regulations that nursing homes are required to follow.

What Is Required of a Nursing Home?

Individuals should know that all nursing homes are required to follow the state's rules and laws. All nursing home facilities are required to employ experienced staff members and qualified health care providers. Under Florida law, all nursing home facilities must have at least one doctor, one nurse and one dietician available.

Most importantly, nursing home residents have a right to live peacefully in sanitary conditions. Florida law defines sanitary living conditions as clean bed linens that are changed regularly, clean clothes, debris-free homes and sanitized living areas, including the kitchen and the restrooms. Anyone who discovers that a nursing home facility is not meeting such standards or is breaking the rules in any way should report the facility right away.

Some of the Signs of Abuse

Many people do not know how to spot abuse. There are several signs that can exist, depending on the type of abuse a person experiences. For example, if you go to visit your loved one at the nursing home and you notice that he or she has lost a great deal of weight, that might be an indication of physical abuse. If a nursing home resident is found to be bleeding or bruised in the genital area, that might be a sign of sexual abuse. And as mentioned above, the abuse that an elderly person suffers does not necessarily have to be bodily abuse. If a nursing home resident is making bank withdrawals on a regular basis or taking out new loans, there may be some kind of financial abuse taking place.

The Fort Myers personal injury lawyers at The Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., are prepared to help you fight for your or your loved one's rights. Call us today to discuss any case where you believe nursing home abuse may be occurring.