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ABUSE AND NEGLECT IN NURSING HOMES
Lawyers for Abuse and Neglect in Nursing Homes.
At some point in our lives, we may have parents or grandparents who are no longer able to take care of themselves. For many people, the most practical solution is to seek support in nursing homes and assisted living centers that provide a safe and supportive environment for them.
There are many companies dedicated to the care of elderly people who need assistance with hygiene, nutrition, medical attention and companionship with other elderly people.
"While a large number of these facilities are well-maintained and managed, many lack sufficient staff, supervision, or have poorly trained or incompetent staff. As a result, elderly residents suffer from abuse and neglect."
"Homes or nursing homes for the elderly are strongly regulated by federal and state laws. These regulations include standards that must be complied with, such as sufficient staff numbers, health, and safety requirements."
A nursing home has the duty to provide medical care and other care to the residents. Their level of care is established in federal and state statutes.
Neglect in a nursing home is understood as an act or omission by the institution or its employees in which the resident is not provided with a safe and clean living environment where their physical and mental health needs are not met. This includes physical abuse, such as hitting or slapping a resident, sexual assault, lack of medical attention, and inadequate restraint methods.
Examples of Neglect in Nursing Homes and Elderly Care Facilities.
Incorrect medication administration.
Incompetent or overwhelmed staff often increase or decrease the medical dosage for patients. Some employees are unable to read or decipher the directions, so they choose to keep the medication for themselves.
Physical abuse
Most of the reports of negligence in nursing homes unfortunately involve cases of physical neglect or obvious physical harm. These include signs of bedsores, fractures in limbs, dehydration, bruises from hits or confrontations, head injuries, medication overdoses, malnutrition and lack of hygiene.
A frustrated individual can lash out against residents who refuse to eat or take their medication due to dementia or other mental health problems. Many of the fall-related injuries occur as a result of these confrontations, patients being released and not properly secured, or even the lack of bed rails.
Sexual assault.
Sadly, sexual assault or inappropriate contact injuries are very common in nursing homes. Signs of this tragedy include bruises in the genital or abdominal area, venereal diseases, and torn clothing.
Mental abuse.
If you notice that your loved one is constantly depressed, down, aggressive, apprehensive with staff or does not want to participate in activities, these may be signs of serious neglect and abuse. Even verbal abuse from other residents, cruel taunts or insulting residents is considered mental abuse and may possibly indicate other types of abuse or neglect.
Dirty facilities and the rooms.
If you notice that the facilities are dirty, have unpleasant smells, the bedding is dirty, and residents are wandering unsupervised or inadequately dressed, this is a sign of severe negligence throughout the facility.
Insufficient or incompetent person.
The risk of dangerous situations or neglect increases significantly when there is a lack of staff in nursing homes. It is important for these facilities to have an adequate number of well-trained personnel to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the residents. Ultimately, a shortage of staff can have a negative impact on the quality of life for older adults and their ability to live independently and with dignity.
