How is Neglect Different from Other Types of Nursing Home Abuse?

How is Neglect Different from Other Types of Nursing Home Abuse?

Nursing home abuse is an issue in an alarming number of nursing home facilities throughout the country. Nursing home abuse comes in many varieties, such as physical abuse, emotional abuse, financial exploitation, and sexual abuse. Abuse can occur for many reasons and when an individual suffers from nursing home abuse, he or she can suffer from serious physical, emotional, or financial distress.

Not all abuse is committed out of malice, though. Unlike the types of abuse listed above, which occur when a caregiver has a specific need to fill such as a desire for control over a resident or a financial hardship that he or she attempts to overcome by stealing, nursing home residents can also suffer from neglect. Neglect is the absence of the care that an individual needs. It can be the staff’s failure to give a resident the medication he or she needs on a daily basis, the failure to give the resident nutritious food or enough water, the failure to clean him or her and the room regularly, or the failure to simply lift the individual out of bed and give him or her the opportunity to move around. All forms of neglect can cause an individual to suffer physically and mentally.

Symptoms of Nursing Home Neglect

  • Bed sores, also known as pressure sores. These injuries under the skin occur when an individual does not move from one position for a prolonged period of time;
  • Dirty conditions in the resident’s room
  • Dehydration;
  • Dirty hair or skin on the resident;
  • Weight loss;
  • A worsened medical condition;
  • Changes in the individual’s demeanor; and
  • Physical injuries, which can indicate a lack of care after an accident such as a fall.

Why Does Neglect Occur in Nursing Homes?

Neglect can often occur because nursing home staff is overburdened. Providing 24/7 care to the residents of a nursing home is stressful and many facilities try to save money by limiting their staff size. Although staff burnout is no excuse for neglect, it is a common reason why it happens. If you suspect your loved one is being neglected in his or her nursing home, speak with the staff there about your concern. Simply by being a consistent presence in your loved one’s life, you can help to keep him or her safe from neglect. Always follow up with his or her doctor after he or she receives a medical procedure and do not be afraid to speak up about changes you observe in your loved one.

The Law Offices of Robert T. Edens, P.C.

Work with an Experienced Grayslake Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

Although we trust that our loved ones will be well cared-for in their nursing homes, the truth is, abuse and neglect do happen in these facilities. If your loved one suffers physically or emotionally from neglect at the hands of his or her caretakers, be an advocate for him or her and work with an experienced nursing home abuse lawyer to file a claim. To get started with our firm, contact The Law Offices of Robert T. Edens, P.C. today.

 

 

Call today for a free consultation

(847) 395-2200