Signs of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect
Entrusting the staff of a facility to look after your loved one can be emotionally overwhelming. The idea of around-the-clock care, ample resources, and a warm environment improving their quality of life may bring you solace, but the thought of them not getting the care they need and being mistreated can cause a substantial degree of anxiety.
As a trusted firm of nursing home lawyers serving Scranton, Milford, and Stroudsburg, PA, our team understands the concern and is here to ensure your loved one’s rights are protected when it comes to whether negligence or abuse has occurred. Here, we'll take a look at some of the signs of nursing home abuse and neglect.
Nursing Home Abuse vs. Nursing Home Neglect
The primary difference between nursing home abuse and nursing home neglect is that abuse is rooted in intentional acts that result in injury or severe risk to the individual, often physical or emotional. Neglect is a form of abuse, but is characterized by a lack of action to fulfill caretaking obligations.
Examples of nursing home abuse and neglect include:
- Failure to provide fundamental living necessities, including medicine, clothing, and food
- Failure to adequately safeguard against accidental physical injury
- Threats, hurtful remarks, and other verbal instances of emotional or psychological abuse
Warning Signs a Nursing Home Resident Is Being Abused or Neglected
Bedsores
Bedsores occur when the patient spends an excessive amount of time in their bed or in a chair without being moved by a caregiver. Elderly individuals left in the same position for a long period can experience pain and irritation as a result of undue pressure on the skin. While they can vary in severity, bedsores should be taken seriously, as even minor bedsores can result in everything from infection to fatality.
Malnutrition and Sudden Weight Loss
Long-term care facilities are responsible for ensuring that residents are served nutritious meals. If your loved one exhibits dramatic weight loss in a relatively short amount of time, this may indicate they are not getting proper hydration or the right amount of food they need to stay healthy.
Falls, Broken Bones, and Other Physical Injuries
While falls can happen, it’s the responsibility of the nursing home to help prevent these occurrences with careful monitoring. Falls can happen as a result of neglect, malnutrition, and not ensuring patients receive their proper medication. Bruises and broken bones may indicate that the staff is not moving or assisting the patient properly, or even worse, physically assaulting the individual.
Substantial Mood Changes
This sign of nursing home abuse or neglect may not be as immediately visible as a physical ailment but can be noticeable nonetheless. If your loved one acts increasingly depressed, anxious, or is otherwise not their usual self, emotional or psychological abuse could be a factor.
Contact Foley Law Firm
If you’re worried that your loved one's nursing home staff doesn’t have their health and prosperity in mind, it’s crucial to take the necessary steps to get the full story — and, if necessary, build your case. We’ve helped numerous patients just like you hold nursing home facilities accountable for mistreatment. For more information about what our law firm can do for you, get in touch with our medical malpractice lawyers today or call (570) 342-8194.