Just what is nursing home abuse? It can take many forms.

Physical abuse is the inappropriate use of physical force that can result in bodily injury or physical pain. This includes striking with a hand or an object, hitting, pushing, shoving, shaking, slapping, kicking, pinching and burning. The inappropriate use of drugs and physical restraints, force-feeding, and physical punishment of any kind also are examples of physical abuse.

• Sexual abuse is non-consensual sexual contact of any kind. Keep in mind that many nursing home residents are not capable of giving consent. It ranges from unwanted touching to coerced nudity to rape. Taking sexually explicit photographs is a form of sexual abuse.


• Emotional or psychological abuse involves inflicting pain or distress on another. This can occur through verbal assaults, insults, humiliation, and harassment, threats and intimidation. It also encompasses nonverbal actions, such as treating a resident like an infant, isolating an elderly person from family, friends, or regular activities, or giving a resident the silent treatment.

These are just some of the signs of physical abuse in a nursing home:

• Bruises, black eyes and lacerations
• Broken bones and fractures
• Burns
• Cuts, open wounds, and wounds in different stages of healing
• Weight loss
• Sudden changes in behaviour
• Nursing home not allowing you to see the resident on your own
• Broken Glasses
• Signs of restraint

Let Carehome Negligence Claims assess your situation and, in eligible cases, help you secure the best possible compensation.

• Nothing to pay
• No deductions from your compensation
• An experienced solicitor will handle your claim
• Friendly, professional and supportive staff
• Excellent claim success rate
• Peace of mind that we are a registered and compliant company with the Ministry of Justice
• Talk in plain English, avoiding legal jargon
• We help people every day claim compensation following all types of accidents, injuries and illnesses sometimes in the most unusual of circumstances.
  

Call us on 0800 118 5855 or complete our online form and we'll call you back and tell you straight away whether we think you have a valid case and how you can make a claim.

The law

The main legislation which affects nursing and residential homes is contained in :-

• The Care Standards Act 2000
• The Care Home Regulations 2001
• The National Care Standards Commission (Registration) Regulations 2001
• The National Care Standards Commission (Fees and Frequency of Inspections) Regulations 2001

The legislation referred to above was based on the old legislation which comprised The Registered Homes Act 1984 and the Registered Homes Amendment Act 1991.

The legislation deals with two specific types of home. A residential care home or a nursing home.

A residential care home provides personal care and “residential accommodation with board”. The type of care which is offered varies considerably from home to home but equates to type of care which might be provided by a competent and caring relative. This could include help with washing, feeding and toileting.

A nursing home provides the care which requires the skills of a qualified nurse or the supervision of a qualified nurse.

Generally staff in a residential care home are not qualified to provide the professional kind of health care which is properly the function of the primary health care services.
Where proprietors, managers or staff of residential care homes have nursing qualifications they cannot apply their professional skills beyond that described above.

If you think that the care which has been provided to your relatives has fallen below the standards described above, or would like professional help in considering the care provided, please contact us.

Thing to observe during a nursing home visit:

• Is the home well lighted?


• Is the facility free of overwhelming unpleasant odours? Is the home clean and well-maintained according to your personal standards?


• Do residents appear well groomed and clean? Have they been changed from night clothes to day clothes?


• Do patient beds have privacy curtains? Are those curtains being used by staff to protect the privacy of patients receiving treatments or assistance?


• How do staff members interact with residents? Do the staff members appear courteous and friendly? Do they address the residents by name? Are call lights promptly answered?


• Is there an activities schedule posted? Do the residents participate?


• Do meals appear tasty and attractive? Are residents who need help eating receiving any assistance? Is the food preparation area separate from the dishwashing and garbage areas?


• Are there hand rails in hallways and grab bars in bathrooms? Are toilets convenient to bedrooms and handicappers? Is there a sink in each bathroom? Are call bells near each toilet?


• Are the hallways wide enough to accommodate passing wheelchairs or walkers? Are the rooms large enough to allow a wheelchair or walker to manoeuvre easily?


• Is the temperature comfortable (many seniors prefer warmer environments)?


• Do all patient rooms have windows? Do all residents have closets and drawers for clothing?


• Is the atmosphere generally friendly and welcoming?

Our experienced team are available to help prepare your claim and provide assistance before and during the claim. We understand the importance of treating our clients with compassion, dignity and respect.

Complete the contact form and we will immediately put you in touch with a specialist solicitor.

Or simply call us on 0800 118 5855 we'll tell you straight away whether we think you have a valid case and how you can make a claim.