Identifying Nursing Home Neglect

You have a thousand things on your plate. As you are stuck in this whirlwind of life, your parent or grandparent is beginning to need more and more help with the activities of daily living. Putting him or her in a nursing home is one of your options, but how can you be sure the patient will be cared for properly? We have some tips for keeping your loved one safe and the signs of neglect.

First, we should define nursing home neglect, which is different from nursing home abuse. Neglect is defined as lack of care, or subpar care for an elderly person that can harm the patient. Identifying nursing home neglect warning signs can be very difficult, but here are a few of the most common:

• Dehydration / Malnutrition
• Lack of nursing home staff involvement
• Unusual changes in behavior
• Poor hygiene
• Unexplained injuries
• Unsanitary living conditions

In some cases, there won’t be any physical changes identifiable, so you will need to pay close attention to any behavioral changes. If living conditions seem dangerous or unsanitary, there may be cause for concern as to nursing home neglect. Taking pictures when bringing a loved one to a nursing home for the first time is highly recommended; taking subsequent pictures over a period of time is also suggested to ensure he or she is receiving the best care.

If you suspect your family member is being mistreated or neglected by a caregiver, you may have a Personal Injury case on your hands. Jan Dils, Attorneys at Law, has a team who deals exclusively with Personal Injury cases with great knowledge and experience and in nursing home neglect. If you have concerns, we have answers. Please do not hesitate to contact us for a free consultation. You should never have to worry about the care your loved one receives.