Holiday Season an Important Time to Observe the Elderly in Nursing Homes

It is very important for family members visiting residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities during the holidays to be aware of signs of neglect and abuse.

New York, NY (PRWEB) November 23, 2008 -- The holiday season is a traditional time for family members to spend time together and visit loved ones. For nursing homes and long term care facilities, the holidays are the peak visiting season for families visiting residents. It is very important for family members visiting residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities during the holidays to be aware of signs of neglect and abuse.

Explains Deborah Truhowsky, Partner of the law firm Schwartzapfel Partners, "The holidays are often when family members spend the most time with their loved ones who are residents of elder care facilities and nursing homes. Visitors should be aware of the signs of neglect and mistreatment of family members within these facilities. For example, does the resident suffer bed sores, skin injuries, or broken bones? Sometimes visitors assume bed sores are a natural result of the resident being bedridden, but they are in fact often preventable and are a sign of neglect or abuse."

Ms. Truhowsky further explains, "Family members may overlook these and other signs that their loved ones are being mistreated. They may believe that signs of abuse and neglect are to be expected or even that the resident is responsible for causing the problems themselves. Nursing homes and long term care facilities have a responsibility to ensure that their residents are properly taken care of and treated humanely."

If a resident appears to be suffering from abuse, family members should take immediate actions to correct the circumstances. The State of New York has the New York City Long Term Care Ombudsman Program and the Long Term Care Community Coalition (ltccc.org) as resources to help ensure the proper care of residents.

Schwartzapfel Truhowsky Marcus P.C. is a law firm with a dedicated nursing home neglect practice. The firm recognizes that the neglect or mistreatment of the elderly and disabled is a fundamental violation of the resident's rights. You can learn more about nursing home neglect at http://www.fightingforyou.com.

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