Nursing Home Neglect

While Nursing Home Neglect, which is characterized by the failure of Nursing Home Staff to properly care for residents, may not seem as horrific as Nursing Home Abuse, it is more common, the effects can result in serious health issues, and in some cases it may lead to outright elder abuse. One of the most common causes of Nursing Home Neglect is the understaffing of nursing home facilities, leaving workers unable to properly care for all residents. Similarly, Nursing Homes may hire unqualified workers, or fail to train their employees, leading to instances of Elder Neglect. If a nursing home is putting profits ahead of the care of its residents, the result is almost always the neglect of elderly persons in desperate need of care.

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Types of Nursing Home Neglect

The following is a list of examples of Nursing Home Neglect. The types of neglect that take place in Nursing Homes are far too numerous to list in their entirety. The most common types of Nursing Home Neglect are when the staff of the Nursing Home fails to:

• Provide proper nutrition and hydration
• Assist in personal hygiene when needed
• Provide proper medication dosage
• Take reasonable precautions to prevent falls
• Answer call lights in a timely fashion
• Turn residents in their beds (leading to pressure sores)
• Take residents to the toilet (leaving them in soiled garments or beds)
• Take adequate precautions to prevent injury to the resident

Symptoms of Neglect

The following is a list of the common signs and symptoms of Nursing Home Neglect. It is by no means comprehensive.

• Bed sores (decubitis ulcers)
• Unsanitary environment (smell or urine or feces)
• Dehydration
• Malnurishment
• Poor grooming and hygiene (unkempt appearance)
• Untreated medical conditions
• Frozen joints
• Wandering (innattentive staff members fail to notice when a disoriented resident wanders away from the facility)
• Errors in medication
• Persisting infections
• Recurring illnesses
• Frequent falls
• Specific complaints by residents going ignored

What to do if you Suspect Neglect

Victims of nursing home neglect may be embarrassed and reluctant to speak out because of threats or intimidation by staff members. Furthermore, they may be physically or mentally unable to complain about the neglect. If you suspect nursing home neglect, you should first get medical attention for the victim, if warranted by the cicumstances. Gather as much information as possible about the individuals involved in the suspected neglect (e.g. names, ages, addresses). Then you should report the neglect to the nursing home administrator. Then file a complaint with the department in your state that regulates nursing homes and contact the local police.

Have you or someone you know become a victim of nursing home abuse or neglect? If so, contact one of our experienced nursing home lawyers today. Help End Nursing Home Abuse.