• A loved one deflecting questions or avoiding topics of conversation. An abused loved one may feel intimidated by his or her abuser and try to steer conversations away from topics that may expose the issue.
• Staff issues. If you notice that the staff members in a nursing home appear frazzled, overworked or otherwise upset, this could indicate problems with the administration and employment structure at the nursing home, potentially impacting patient care. High staff turnover should also be another red flag as the nursing home may not be properly vetting their employees before hiring them.
• A loved one asking for a new caregiver. Your elderly relative may ask you to find a new caregiver or a new nurse but not provide any reason for this. If your loved one cannot give you a straight answer as to why he or she wants a different caregiver, take this is as a possible warning sign of abuse.

Your loved one may not show any outward signs of abuse like bruises or cuts, so it’s imperative to look for changes in their behavior or things that seem out of the ordinary in the nursing home. It’s also important to note that some elderly individuals struggle with the mental deterioration that can make it difficult for them to describe their circumstances or report incidents of abuse. Ultimately, you should trust your instincts and if something feels wrong, investigate it.

Once you confirm that nursing home abuse has occurred, and you have safely removed your loved one from the dangerous situation, contact an experienced Birmingham nursing home abuse attorney who can help you determine your best next steps. It’s possible to file a civil lawsuit against an abusive caregiver or nursing home, and the offender will likely face criminal charges as well.