4 Symptoms of Nursing Home Neglect and What You Can Do About Them

When you put a loved one in a nursing home, you expect them to get appropriate and attentive care. Unfortunately, nursing home neglect is more likely in nursing homes and can affect any resident, including your loved one. 

Unlike physical abuse which often has visible signs, neglect can be difficult to detect, especially if it is subtle or if the victim has dementia or any cognitive impairment. But you can always detect negligence easily and take the appropriate measures if you know the symptoms of nursing home neglect to look out for. 

Symptoms of Nursing Home Neglect

Bedsores

Also called pressure ulcers, bedsores are a common symptom of nursing home neglect. They occur when a person is confined to a bed or wheelchair for long periods and is not moved often enough. 

Being put in such a condition can cause the skin to swell, break down, and lead to open sores. Typical areas of the body to check for bedsores include elbows, spines, hips, around the tailbone, and the spine. 

Because pressure sores on your loved one could indicate possible physical neglect, you must report them to the staff as soon as you spot them. Reporting such cases helps the facility take the proper measures to treat and avoid such incidents in the future. 

However, in extreme cases, you may want to take legal action against the negligent nursing facility. But filing a lawsuit against a nursing home can get complicated, so you may want to visit nursinghomelawyerpa.com for more details on what it takes to pursue justice and fair compensation in such a negligence lawsuit. 

Malnutrition

Assisted care facilities are required to provide a nutritious diet for the residents. Unfortunately, it is not unlikely for residents to suffer malnutrition due to negligent staff or low-quality food. 

Residents who don’t get the diet they deserve in a nursing home often show symptoms such as weight loss, poor skin complexion, and dry hair and nails. They may also experience loss of muscle mass, lethargy, and a slow impulse. 

If your loved one is suffering from malnutrition at a nursing home, you should contact the management as soon as possible. If they don’t seem to offer much help, reach out to your state’s Adult Protective Services (APS) to investigate your complaint and guide you on the next steps. 

Broken Bones

Residents in a nursing home can suffer broken bones due to various reasons. For example, it can be due to sliding on a hardwood floor while in a wheelchair, falling while getting out of bed, or being mispositioned while in a repositioning chair.

Since most people in nursing facilities are vulnerable to falls, the staff must always be attentive when helping residents get up from their beds, chairs, and other surfaces. 

If you visit your loved one in a nursing facility and notice signs such as bruises around the wrists, ankles, and limps, you may want to take them to a physician immediately for x-rays and treatment. Moreover, investigate the circumstances surrounding their injury. If you establish that it was due to negligence by the staff, you may take legal action against the facility. 

Poor Living Conditions

A good nursing home must implement an infection control program to provide all its residents with a safe, clean, and comfortable environment. Failing to offer this could translate to negligence. 

Unfortunately, unhealthy living conditions might lead to serious health issues such as pressure ulcers, UTIs, and pneumonia. Residents living in disorganized surroundings are also more likely to suffer from stress, anxiety, and depression. 

To ensure those you love are always clean and safe in a nursing home, visit them regularly and check their surroundings. Don’t hesitate to contact the facility if you suspect their quality of care falls short of what you expect. If they don’t seem to pay attention to your concerns, transferring your loved one to another facility may be a better idea.