Care Home Injury Signs: Liverpool Echo Article

Revealed – how to spot if your gran or grandad is a victim of care home abuse

Would you know the tell-tale signs of neglect in a failing care home?

If you have a loved one in care, it can be difficult to know how to tell if they are being well cared for, or if they are at risk of neglect, or even worse, abuse. Now experts from a top law firm have revealed the six signs you can look out for that may indicate your elderly relative is in being mistreated.

Discovering that a vulnerable loved one has been silently suffering abuse or neglect is every family’s worst nightmare. And with reports of negligence in North West care homes at an all-time high, it is an ordeal increasing numbers of people are having to face.

Leading personal injury lawyers Irvings Law have revealed the signs to look out for that could indicate a family member in a care home could be suffering from neglect or abuse.

They are:

PRESSURE ULCERS
Sores caused by lying in the same position for long periods. They can cause infections.

UNEXPLAINED WEIGHT LOSS
Weight loss should always sound alarm bells. It can be a sign that carers aren’t giving the patient what they need to survive and could indicate malnutrition.

DEHYDRATION
Again, this can occur when staff neglect to assist a care home resident who cannot hold a cup by themselves.

POOR PERSONAL HYGIENE
If a person is not being washed, dressed or cleaned, there could be neglect occurring in other important aspects as well.

PHYSICAL INJURY
As well as ulcers, fractures, bruises or scratches, look out for tissue or muscle damage caused by rough handling.

PSYCHOLOGICAL PROBLEMS
Neglect can lead to problems such as depression, withdrawal, sadness and confusion.

Figures from the Care Quality Commission show nearly 4,000 care homes in England are delivering substandard care or are struggling to improve. Almost 40,000 reports of abuse were investigated last year.

The North West is the worst performing region, with 34 per cent of homes rated as “poor”. Yet experts believe that, with many residents unable to communicate, most cases of abuse go unreported.

Romilly Houghton, a partner at Liverpool-based Irvings Law, who help families seek compensation from negligent care homes, said: “There are many signs to look out for, not just of aggression towards the patient, but also of neglect.”

She said poor care can cause serious harm, adding: “Damage isn’t just physical, it can be psychological too, leading to depression.”

Irvings, who offer a no-win, no-fee service and have more than 30 years’ experience, provide a free initial advice session for anyone considering a claim.

Romilly added: “We then guide them through the legal process with understanding, compassion and sensitivity. Compensation recovered is often crucial to help fund a safer and better environment for those in care.”

For free advice call Romilly on our elder care phone line 0800 612 4083 or click here.