If you made the difficult decision to place your loved one in a nursing home facility, you probably did so believing that your family member would receive the best care and treatment possible. Unfortunately, instances of elderly abuse can happen even in the most accredited facilities, especially if the staff is under-qualified or overworked, among numerous other reasons.
The Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) recently reported that the number of severe violations in Texas nursing homes has increased by 35 percent. In fact, Texas was ranked the worst in the nation for the poor quality of its nursing home facilities.
But what can you do if your loved one claims that he or she is the victim of abuse or neglect? You may be reluctant to broach the subject with the nursing home staff or supervisors for fear of retaliation or a cover up. And it is possible that you might even doubt your loved one’s claims, knowing he or she suffers from dementia. So, how can you gather evidence to support the allegations before going a step further and contacting the authorities?
In the state of Texas, it is legal to set up a motion-activated camera in your loved one’s nursing home room to record any signs of mistreatment. There have been several cases in which families have discovered that their relative was physically abused after recording the events on a hidden camera.
If you suspect that your loved one is being abused or neglected in a nursing home, you may want to consider installing a hidden camera. It is also advised that you contact a state ombudsman, the local police, and even an attorney to verify your legal rights and options.
At Brown Trial Firm, PLLC, our dedicated Texas nursing home abuse attorneys have helped numerous families hold negligent nursing home facilities accountable for their wrongdoing. Call (866) 393-2611 for a free and confidential consultation if you would like to learn more about how to protect your loved one.