When the time comes to select a nursing home for a loved one, it is easy to feel many different things: guilt, sadness, and relief are all common. However, many people take great care when choosing a nursing facility and ultimately feel content when they finally move their family member in. They hope that their loved one will be happier there and they trust she will be well taken care of by medical professionals.

Sadly, nursing home abuse and negligence can happen in even the finest facilities—and anyone's family member could be a victim. The alarming thing about nursing home negligence is that some outside family members don't even realize their loved one is not being properly cared for until it is too late. Why? The resident may be unable to communicate clearly, suffer from Alzheimer's disease or dementia, or simply be too scared to say anything.

If someone you love is living in a nursing home facility, here are some common negligence-related injuries you need to keep an eye out for:

• Bedsores and pressure ulcers
• Dehydration
• Malnutrition
• Bruising
• Marks from restraints
• Fractures
• Overmedication

In addition to physical signs of abuse or negligence, look for the mental signs as well. This could be any change in how they normally act; some people begin to show fear around others, appear depressed, or act angry.

If you believe your loved one is being treated negligently in a nursing facility, contact D'Orazio Peterson right away. It is important to move quickly so that if your family member is being abused, you can get her into a new facility immediately and take the appropriate legal action.

Do you know someone with a loved one in a nursing home? Share this article with them and make sure they're aware of the signs of neglect.