Signs of Nursing Home Neglect

Studies and statistics indicate that people who move into nursing homes will spend anywhere between $70,000 and $80,000 per year depending on where they live and whether or not they have a private room.  That is clearly a substantial investment for almost anyone, but it’s also a necessary step to take because people who encounter the need for nursing home care are facing substantial health and safety risks if they continue to live without professional help.  As such, residents and family members have every right to expect a high standard of care and treatment considering the investment that is being made.  Unfortunately, that is not always what they get.

The demand for nursing home beds is growing, and that demand is only going to become more extreme in the future as members of the Baby Boomer generation reach the age when people tend to encounter this need.  This places a strain on the industry as a whole as it scrambles to find space and acquire staff to handle this developing reality, but that is all but irrelevant in terms of the responsibility of these facilities to meet a reasonable standard of care.  People who suffer because of nursing home neglect should take action for themselves, but many times it’s up to family members and friends to get this process started.

There are certain types of nursing home neglect that are more common than others, and a few examples of actions that have been filed in response to negligent conduct include:

  • Failing to move an immobile resident to the point where bedsores appear
  • Failing to maintain a proper medication protocol for a resident
  • Failing to recognize developing health problems and to react to them promptly
  • Failing to feed a resident a nutritious diet
  • Failing to supervise the movements of mobile residents
  • Wandering and elopement

There are other types of nursing home neglect, but friends and family need to be watchful for any signs of problems and react to them immediately.  Common signs of nursing home neglect include:

  • Unexplained and chronic illnesses
  • Sudden and unexplained weight loss
  • Sudden changes in a resident’s personality
  • The appearance of unexplained physical injuries
  • Any unexplained delays in bringing visitors to see the resident
  • An apparent lack of personal hygiene
  • Wearing dirty clothes

There are other signs that can appear, but people who notice anything suspicious should immediately say something to the management of the facility.

In addition, family members who lose confidence in a facility should explore their other options for putting an end to this conduct, and these options should be evaluated quickly.  People who are already vulnerable to injury and/or illness cannot afford to live in unsafe conditions, as this was the reason that they moved into such a facility in the first place.  If you are concerned that a loved one is being neglected by a facility, contact the New York nursing home neglect lawyers at The Fitzgerald Law Firm today to schedule a free initial consultation.