Nursing home neglect arises when staff members do not adequately attend to residents’ needs. Residents who are bedridden or severely ill face a heightened risk of neglect, particularly in facilities that are of poor quality or are understaffed. They may not be able to leave the situation independently. Caretakers may threaten them to ensure neglect is not reported.
What Is Neglect?
Neglect is a form of abuse of individuals who cannot care for themselves. The CDC defines neglect as “the failure to meet an older adult’s basic needs. These needs include food, water, shelter, clothing, hygiene, and essential medical care.”
Any type of inaction can be a form of neglect. Whether intentional or not, failing to care for an older and vulnerable adult who needs that assistance can lead to the worsening of chronic medical conditions, deterioration, loss of quality of life, and in extreme cases, death.
Signs of Nursing Home Neglect
While physical abuse is usually visible, neglect may not be immediately visible. If your loved one’s attitude or personality has changed, they may be experiencing neglect. Be on the lookout for:
• Insufficient essentials like food, water, and heating
• Unaddressed or unexplained deterioration of physical or mental health conditions
• Inadequate living conditions evident in lack of utilities, cramped space, and poor ventilation
• Presence of animal and/or insect infestations
• Indications of mismanagement of medications, such as empty or unlabeled containers and expired prescriptions
• Unsafe housing conditions due to neglect of repairs, faulty wiring, poor sanitation, inadequate cleanliness, or architectural hazards
• Unexplained injuries or improbable explanations for injuries
• Symptoms of dehydration or malnutrition, including weight loss, excessive thirst, reduced urinary output, dry and fragile skin, parched mouth, apathy, fatigue, and mental confusion
• Poor personal hygiene practices
• Neglected treatment of bedsores
• Inadequate or lack of clothing for weather conditions
• Extreme withdrawal or agitation
• Absence of necessary aids like dentures, eyeglasses, hearing aids, mobility aids, or bathroom equipment
• Confusion, anxiety or depression
• Nightmares or sleep disturbances
• Regression or self-harming behaviors
• Displays of emotional distress
• Mixed feelings or ambivalence towards caregivers or family members
Caretakers may take great care to hide these issues to prevent trouble for themselves or the nursing home. The resident may be reluctant to report anything out of embarrassment or fear of retaliation.
What You Can Do
Frequent visits by relatives put the nursing home on notice that someone is watching. If you believe your loved one is being neglected in a nursing home, you can:
• Speak with the nursing home management to discuss your loved one’s care and your concerns
• Document injuries or other evidence of possible neglect, with pictures, statements from other residents, and documentation of any abrupt changes in either your loved one’s behavior or that of the caretakers.
• Arrange for a medical exam by an independent medical professional outside of the facility who can locate and identify injuries from neglect and abuse.
• If the nursing home refuses to acknowledge your concerns, or even condones neglect, report suspected nursing home abuse or neglect to the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources via the 24-hour hotline at 800-352-6513.
• Begin making arrangements to move them out of the facility and into a different one.
• If you believe your loved one is in immediate danger, call 911 for Emergency Services to intervene for you and protect them.
Nursing home residents rely on caretakers to help provide them with daily needs. If the nursing home fails to do so, they need you to speak for them.
Defending The Vulnerable In West Virginia
Nursing home residents have a right to a safe and caring place. We hope that your loved one is always well cared for in a nursing home. If ever you discover that they are not, please call us immediately.
Because a nursing home lawsuit can be complicated, it is important to have a lawyer who understands the complexities of this type of case. Contact The Love Law Firm today at (304) 344-5683 or contact us online for a free consultation. We’ve helped thousands of West Virginians fight for their loved ones in nursing homes and are ready to help you.
