Signs of Nursing Home Neglect
Nursing home neglect is the most common form of nursing home abuse. Even though it does not involve physical violence, and may even be unintentional, it is a dangerous situation that can quickly become deadly. Nursing home neglect is an emergency situation. You must act quickly to save your loved one from harm, and then follow up with legal action. To the untrained eye, end even to medical experts, the signs of neglect can masquerade as the normal decline of aging. If you are familiar with the tell-tale signs of neglect you have a chance of spotting it before the damage is irreversible.
Common Signs of Nursing Home Neglect
Some of the common signs of nursing home neglect include:
- Weight loss
- Malnutrition
- Dehydration
- Unexplained bruises or other injuries
- Sunburn
- Dirty bedding
- Dirty clothes
- Poor hygiene
- Poor grooming
- Infections
- Bedsores
- Clothes becoming too large
- Frozen joints
- Odors of urine or feces
- Recurring illnesses
- Wandering away from the nursing home
- Heavy sedation
- Medication errors
- Behavioral changes
- Violent altercations between residents
- Physical restraints (including bed sheets tucked too tightly)
- Other residents are frequently injured or ill
- Exposure to declared allergens
Some other things to keep in mind and look for when you visit:
- Nursing home residents should always have a glass of water within their reach.
- They should be checked on frequently.
- Those who need supervision should not be roaming the halls unattended.
- The nursing home must be adequately staffed.
- Residents must be able get the attention of a staff member quickly and easily. Find out how it is done and give it a try.
Our nursing home attorneys will work hard to get full compensation for our clients and their innocent families. If your loved one has been the victim of nursing home neglect or nursing home abuse, please e-mail or call toll free 1-877 LOSS RECOVER (1-877-567-7732) today. All consultations are FREE and our lawyers work on a contingency basis. This means that you pay NOTHING until your case is WON!