Nearly 1.5 million of our elderly citizens live in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, and this number is on the rise. During their 'golden years,' our parents, grandparents, and loved ones should be cared for with kindness, tenderness and respect. But tragically, nursing home abuse and neglect is one of our country's most serious and prevailing problems.

Every year, many thousands of senior citizens are abused, neglected or exploited in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other elder care facilities. This problem is so widespread that legislatures in all 50 states have passed some form of elder abuse prevention laws. Unfortunately, South Carolina is no stranger to the problem. Knowing the warning signs of abuse is the first step toward protecting elderly loved ones. Sometimes, the residents of extended care facilities may have telltale physical injuries from abuse, such as bruising. Other times, neglect can cause dehydration, malnutrition or infections from untreated bedsores. Here are some more of the warning signs:

• Your loved one seems excessively medicated or sedated
• Unexplained cuts, fractures, burns, bruises or other ailments
• Bedsores
• Unexplained vaginal or anal bleeding
• Torn, bloody, or stained underclothing
• Frequent genital or urinary tract infections
• Sudden changes in behavior such as depression, withdrawal, sucking, biting, rocking, agitation, etc.
• Delays or refusals in allowing visitors to see the loved one
• Visitors are not allowed to be alone with the loved one
• Loss of your loved one's possessions
• Sudden large withdrawals from bank accounts
• Unexpected change in your loved one’s will or other financial document
• Your loved one has experienced sudden weight loss or weight gain
• Your loved one died unexpectedly or without apparent cause
• Your loved one is frequently ill, and symptoms are not immediately reported to the doctor and family

If you believe someone is being neglected in an extended care facility or nursing home, then there is a strong chance that their fellow residents are also threatened by this kind of neglect.

Your choice of an attorney is very important in a case involving nursing home abuse or neglect in South Carolina. If you or a loved one has been injured, or if you are a survivor of someone who has been killed after suffering nursing home abuse or neglect, CONTACT US ONLINE, OR SIMPLY CALL US AT 1-800-827-7898 TO SET UP A FREE CONSULTATION. WE WILL RESPOND RIGHT AWAY.