What Are the Signs of Nursing Home Negligence and Abuse
Nursing homes are responsible for providing residents with a safe and healthy living environment. Unfortunately, some nursing homes fail to meet these expectations and neglect or abuse their residents. Nursing home negligence and abuse can take many forms, including physical, mental, and emotional abuse and neglect of basic needs such as food and medical care. In addition, financial exploitation is also a form of abuse that is unfortunately common in nursing homes.
What Is Considered Nursing Home Neglect?
Nursing home neglect occurs when a nursing home staff member or another person in a position of authority fails to fulfill their duty of care to a resident. This can range from ignoring a resident’s medical needs, not providing adequate nutrition or hydration, or failing to ensure a safe environment. Nursing home neglect can take many forms, but some of the most common include the following:
Physical neglect
This is when failing to provide adequate nutrition, hydration, medical care, personal hygiene, or exercise. Physical neglect can also include not providing a safe environment, such as failing to provide adequate safety equipment or not providing a safe place for a resident to sleep.
Emotional Neglect
Include not providing emotional support to a resident or not responding to requests for help. It can also include not providing a comfortable and secure environment, such as not responding to concerns about safety or not providing a sense of community.
Social Neglect
This includes failing to provide social interaction, such as not allowing a resident to communicate with other residents or not providing meaningful activities.
Financial Neglect
Neglect can also include financial exploitation. This can include an individual or facility not providing adequate financial support or not ensuring that a resident’s funds are used for their benefit.
What Are the Common Nursing Home Neglect Cases?
While nursing home neglect cases can vary, some are more likely to occur. Common nursing home neglect cases include:
1. Failure to Provide Adequate Nutrition
Not providing adequate nutrition to elderly or disabled individuals can lead to serious health problems and even death. Signs of malnutrition include sudden weight loss, dehydration, and changes in skin color.
2. Failure to Provide Proper Medical Care
Nursing homes are responsible for providing proper medical care to their residents. Neglect may include failing to provide necessary medical treatments, medication, or follow-up care.
3. Failure to Provide a Safe Environment
Nursing homes are responsible for providing a safe environment for their residents. Neglect may include not providing enough supervision to prevent falls, not ensuring adequate lighting, or not providing enough security to prevent theft or abuse.
4. Failure to Provide Adequate Hygiene
Nursing homes are responsible for providing adequate hygiene to their residents. Neglect may include not providing clean bedding or clothing or not providing enough assistance with bathing, teeth brushing, and other hygiene needs.
5. Verbal Abuse
Verbal abuse is another form of nursing home neglect. This occurs when a nursing home fails to address verbal or physical abuse from staff or other residents. This can lead to psychological trauma and emotional distress.
Conclusion
It is important to be aware of the potential for nursing home neglect. Cases of nursing home neglect can be difficult to identify, but there are some signs to look for, such as sudden weight loss, bedsores, and changes in mood or behavior. If you suspect a loved one is being neglected in a nursing home, it is important to speak up and take action. You can contact the facility’s administrator or the local police, or Adult Protective Services to make a report.
Are you looking for injury lawyers in Phoenix? You can hire us at Bossie, Reilly, & Oh. We offer legal support specifically for nursing home abuse and neglect cases and general elder abuse. If you know a loved one who may be suffering from abuse, get in touch with us to learn more.