Putting a loved one into a nursing home can be an upsetting and stressful experience, and you’ll no doubt want to ensure that the one you choose will provide the best care for them. Most nursing homes pride themselves on providing excellent services and are trustworthy and reputable establishments. Unfortunately, there are instances where people take advantage of their position and neglect or abuse those in their care.
Because of this, it is vital for those with relatives or friends in nursing homes to stay vigilant to the signs of abuse. Here are some of the most common ones to look out for:
- Unsanitary conditions
If you notice that there is a lack of cleanliness in the nursing home, your suspicions are right to be aroused. All nursing homes are obliged to comply with federal and state laws pertaining to sanitary conditions, and they should be clean, safe, and hygienic places to live. If you notice rotting food, overflowing bins, or filthy bathrooms, this may be a sign that the home is not complying with the law and should be reported.
- A decline in personal hygiene
Many older adults in nursing homes are unable to look after themselves properly, and they may need assistance in certain aspects of their personal hygiene. If staff are neglecting to tend to their hygiene needs, this could be because they are poorly trained, understaffed, or simply do not care about looking after the residents properly.
- Physical injuries
If a person suffers an injury while under the care of the staff at the nursing home, they should be able to explain how and why the injury took place. In cases where no explanation is afforded, you feel that the explanation is unsatisfactory, or the physical injuries become repetitive, this could be indicative of abuse.
4.Toileting issues
If your loved one suddenly becomes incontinent or has toileting accidents when they did not have a history of doing so, this could be due to neglect of their basic needs. If frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs) are reported, this could be another indication that staff are failing to mobilize residents in time to get them to the toilet.
- Malnutrition and dehydration
If a resident is not being fed properly or given adequate fluids, they may become malnourished and dehydrated, which can lead to severe complications. If they have lost a lot of weight or have any signs of dehydration, this potentially could be because they are being neglected and not being given enough food and drink, or that it is being withheld from them as a disciplinary tactic.
- Confusion
If your loved one is experiencing confusion or has any other suspicious personality changes, this may be due to altering, withdrawal, or abuse of medication. A change in personality may also occur if the resident is suffering psychological effects due to abuse – so be alert to any changes such as them suddenly becoming angry, upset, fearful, or embarrassed.
- A reduction in mobility
You may also notice that your loved one becomes less mobile while living in a nursing home, and you may even see bedsores develop. If this is the case, it may be that nursing home staff are failing to help mobilize their residents, or, in the case of immobile residents, not turning them frequently enough to prevent bed sores from appearing.
Worrying that your friend or relative is suffering from nursing home abuse can feel extraordinarily worrying and stressful. However, an experienced nursing home abuse lawyer can help guide you through the steps to take and ensure that you have the right legal assistance to make a claim and put a stop to it. The compassionate lawyers at the Bagneris firm can help you. Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation.
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