How Can I Tell If My Loved One is Being Neglected in a Nursing Home?

 Posted on May 23, 2022 in Personal Injury

Nursing home residents are among the most vulnerable. People who live in nursing homes are typically unable to care for themselves. They may depend on staff for their hygiene, meals, toileting, and all other activities of daily living. Unfortunately, these individuals are often affected by age-related mental incapacity like dementia, which can make it impossible for them to effectively communicate to loved ones that they are being neglected. It is up to the nursing home resident’s visitors to notice the signs of neglect and take action. The harms associated with nursing home neglect can be devastating for already-vulnerable older adults. If you suspect that your loved one is being neglected in their nursing home, it is important to take action right away. Tahmazian Law Firm, P.C. is dedicated to holding negligent nursing homes responsible and to keeping vulnerable seniors safe and protected. 

What Forms of Nursing Home Neglect Are Most Common? How Can I Spot Them?

We place our elderly loved ones in nursing homes because we want them to be well cared for by professionals. Sadly, understaffing and other issues can lead to these vulnerable people not having their basic needs met in a timely manner. Some types of neglect that nursing home residents may face include: 

• Lack of hygiene - Residents should be regularly bathed, and diapers should be changed promptly. Teeth should be brushed or dentures cleaned. Bedsheets should be changed when soiled or on a regular basis. If your loved one looks or smells as if they have not been bathed recently, or if you always seem to find them wearing a dirty diaper or lying in soiled sheets, it should arouse your suspicions. 

• Unanswered call lights - When a nursing home resident hits their call light, it may well be because there is an emergency. They could have fallen, or they could be having chest pains or signs of a stroke. Call lights must be answered promptly. Should your loved one happen to use their call light while you are visiting, pay attention to how long it takes for someone to respond. 

• Inadequate nutrition - Nutrition is very important for the health and well-being of seniors. Many require assistance with eating or will only eat certain types of foods. Staff should be monitoring dependent residents' nutritional intake to ensure that their needs are being met. If you find that your loved one is losing weight quickly, it could be because they are not receiving the help they need at mealtime or are not being provided with necessary nutritional supplements. 

If something about the quality of care your loved one is getting feels wrong, it is best to trust your instincts and investigate further. Doing so could make all the difference for your loved one’s health and quality of life. 

Call an LA County Nursing Home Abuse Attorney

If your loved one is being neglected in a nursing home, Tahmazian Law Firm, P.C. may be able to recover compensation on their behalf. Our Glendale nursing home abuse lawyers are committed to protecting vulnerable seniors by holding neglectful nursing homes responsible. Contact us at 818-242-8201 for a free consultation. 

Source: 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK98786/