Protect Your Loved One From Nursing Home Neglect

When your family member suffers from a medical condition that requires 24/7 care, you may not be able to care for them. After all, people have jobs, families and other obligations. Therefore, you may decide that a nursing home is best. The staff members are supposed to be trained professionals who can give your loved one the best care possible.

However, you may be regretting your decision after hearing horror stories about what really goes on in nursing homes. Cases of nursing home abuse and neglect are common. Many nursing home residents die from malnutrition, broken bones, infections and worsened medical conditions due to a lack of attention.

Many family members have filed lawsuits on behalf of their loved ones. Many states have passed laws requiring that nursing homes provide better care for patients. While these actions have helped, the neglect continues. If your loved one is in a nursing home, you can protect them by understanding the causes and signs you should look for.

What Causes Nursing Home Neglect?

Nursing home neglect boils down to one main reason: money. Nursing homes are in the business of making money. In order to make more money, they find ways to save money. These cost-cutting measures affect both the employees and residents.

In order to save money, nursing homes will forego certain steps and procedures that are necessary for the health and safety of residents. For example, they may fail to perform background checks, so they hire staff members with criminal histories who could abuse residents.

They also make cuts to staffing and training. Staff members may have a high number of patients they have to care for and because they lack appropriate training, they may not care for all of them properly. These workers are overwhelmed and underpaid, leading to fatigued, disgruntled employees. Turnover is high in nursing homes, so patients do not always get the food and medication they need. Proper hygiene and sanitation may suffer.

Signs of Nursing Home Neglect

Look for these signs of neglect:

• Poor hygiene. Does your family member look clean and well-cared for or are they dirty? Check their teeth, hair and nails for signs of neglect.

• Physical issues. Malnutrition and dehydration can cause issues such as difficulty swallowing and weight loss.

• Bedsores and infections. If your loved one has mobility issues, the staff should be turning them over frequently. If your family member is not moved often, they can develop bedsores and infections.

• Psychological issues. If a resident is being neglected, they may start to develop anxiety, fear, depression and other mental health issues.

Seek Legal Help Today

Nursing home neglect can be severe in nature, causing your loved one to suffer serious injuries, medical conditions and even death. Residents often require a significant amount of care, and when they do not receive the care they need, the nursing home can be held liable.

It can be hard to prove that the nursing home is at fault for your loved one’s injuries or death, but the  South Florida nursing home neglect attorneys at Leifer & Ramirez will work hard to hold the nursing home responsible. To schedule a free consultation, fill out the online form or call 561-660-9421.

https://www.leiferlaw.com/home-for-disabled-people-closed-after-years-of-abuse-and-neglect/