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Is your elderly loved one’s bruise just a bruise?

On Behalf of | Jan 28, 2025 | Nursing Home Neglect And Abuse

Imagine visiting your elderly parent at their nursing home and seeing a dark bruise on their arm. The staff explains it happened during a fall, but something feels wrong.

While it’s true that older adults bruise more easily, the bruise might not be from an accident. Knowing the difference between accidental marks and signs of nursing home abuse could protect your loved one from harm.

Causes of accidental bruising in nursing homes

Elderly residents bruise more quickly due to thinner skin and fragile blood vessels. Many residents take blood thinners, which increase bruising.

Walking aids, bed rails and furniture often cause minor bumps that leave marks. Regular activities like physical therapy or getting in and out of wheelchairs might also cause occasional bruising. These accidents typically leave marks in predictable places—ones you may have noticed on your loved ones even before they entered the facility.

Warning signs of potential abuse

Watch for these red flags when examining bruises:

  • Bruises in unusual locations: Marks on the face, neck or torso rarely happen by accident
  • Symmetrical marks: Parallel bruises often indicate someone grabbed or restrained the person
  • Multiple bruises: Several bruises with different colors or signs of healing in the same spot suggest the injuries happened repeatedly at various times
  • Object-shaped bruises: Marks matching belts, hands or other items signal intentional harm
  • Frequent injuries: Repeated unexplained bruising suggests ongoing abuse

Moreover, if your loved one displays a change in their behavior, this may be another indicator of abuse. If they show fear or withdrawal when discussing injuries, you might want to investigate further.

Protecting your elderly loved ones

Trust your instincts if something seems wrong with your loved one’s care. Your elderly family members deserve to spend their later years in a nursing facility that truly cares for them.

It’s a good idea to talk with other families who have relatives in the facility about their experiences. An experienced legal professional can also help you investigate your concerns and pursue justice if necessary.

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