Signs of Nursing Home Neglect

As our loved ones get older, it may eventually become too unsafe to allow them to live alone. So we are many times faced with a choice: care for them ourselves or seek outside assistance. The most common form of outside assistance is that of nursing homes or assisted living facilities, as this is more affordable than in-home individual care.

Nursing homes can be a place of enjoyment for the elderly, providing a community where they can make friends and feel involved while receiving the necessary attention. These facilities can provide full servicing, such as medical attention, or they can simply be there as a safeguard in case a residents finds themselves in need of assistance. Regardless, there are certain standards that assisted living and nursing home facilities are required to maintain for their residents. These standards are in place to maintain the safety and security of those paying for residence.

Unfortunately, nursing home neglect and elderly abuse reports are not totally uncommon. Any time a facility creates an environment where a resident is harmed or provided with sub-standard care, it can be considered abuse. But how do you know what to look for, especially because elders may not voice complaints for various reasons? Here are a few warning signs of neglect in a nursing home or assisted living facility:

• Bedsores
• Fall injuries
• Malnutrition or dehydration, leading to a sudden loss of weight
• Sudden and unusual changes in behavior that cannot be attributed to an illness or mental issue
• Appearance efforts changing, such as personal hygiene importance
• Less interaction with residents of the home, as well as staff members
• Poor conditions at the residence, such as unsafe furniture or equipment, poor lighting, and slippery floors
• Attempts by the resident to wander or run away from the residence
• Seemingly unnecessary sedation or heavy medication

If you believe that someone you love is a victim of nursing home abuse, it is important that you take action. Unfortunately this type of care is often times so expensive that customers do not want to raise concerns, but it can be the difference in life and death. In the event of a nursing home abuse legal claim, it is possible that by proving fault on the part of the residence that the injured victim is allotted funds for damages. For more information on what is considered abuse, call Jones & Swanson at 770-427-5498.

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