If you or a loved one find yourselves living in a nursing home, you want to make sure that you or your loved one is receiving the best care possible. You want to be able to have peace of mind about the chosen place to live and the staff that is going to be taking care of you or your relative. However, it doesn’t take much research to uncover news about elderly residents suffering from nursing home abuse or neglect.
How is nursing home neglect defined?
Neglect, in this case, is defined as any action taken by a caretaker which would result in unforeseen harm, misery or suffering to the person receiving this care. It encompasses the failure to correctly attend to the needs and attention of a patient, or any acts that would result in the unintentional causing of injury to a patient, by act or by omission.
Abuse can also fit under this definition, but in this case, it implies sexually assaulting or physically striking the patient. Also included are withholding needed items such as food or medicines.
Patient abuse and neglect may occur in nursing homes, hospitals, clinics or when patients receive care at home.
Can you spot signs of nursing home neglect?
Nursing home neglect does not refer to an isolated incident that has no repercussions. It’s something that is ongoing and definitely shows signs. Here is what to watch out for:
Living conditions that are not clean and sanitary
Residents have a right to expect to live in a facility that is clean, sanitary and comfortable. Infection control programs should be in place, clothing and bedding should be clean and disinfected.
Inadequate or lacking personal hygiene
As part of the services offered in nursing homes, residents can expect to receive help when bathing, doing their hair, brushing their teeth and more. Many times, this help is greatly needed since they are unable to perform these activities on their own, and it’s patently obvious when this care is not provided.
Signs of malnutrition and dehydration
Poor nutrition can have severe consequences on the nursing home resident. Whether the malnutrition or dehydration happens deliberately or is due to a lack of supervision, the health of the resident can be seriously affected by these omissions.
Injuries that are difficult to explain
A broken bone? A bruise or head injury? How did these happen? Were they treated promptly and thoroughly? Is there a logical explanation for them? They might be the result of the resident having been left alone for too long and they end up having to walk someplace without assistance. There is no excuse for preventable injuries.
Loss of mobility
Leaving the residents for long stretches of time in bed or sitting in a chair can bring about a permanent loss in their ability to move. This neglect can result in other health issues such as lack of balance, muscle spasms and more.
There is no reason why nursing home neglect should be permitted or tolerated. It is a tragic behavior that can cause serious mental, psychological and physical injuries to those on the receiving end. Reach out to a nursing home abuse lawyer in Chicago and explain the situation to them. It’s better to take action now than to wait until the neglect has irreversible or fatal consequences. Click here for more information.
