Common Signs of Nursing Home Neglect

 Posted on April 25, 2024 in Personal Injury

When families worry that their aging loved ones are unable to sufficiently take care of themselves and moving in with them is not an option, nursing homes can offer an excellent solution. Deciding which facility to place them in can be a difficult process. You want them to feel comfortable, happy, and socially engaged. Since nursing homes offer different features,  your decision might be based on the availability of around-the-clock medical professionals, luxury accommodations, creative activities, or any number of other considerations.

Unfortunately, while a facility might seem like a great place on paper, your parent’s experience living there depends to a great extent on the personal care they receive from the staff. Neglect is a big problem in nursing homes, particularly for residents who are less verbal and unable to speak up for themselves. This article will describe some common signs of nursing home abuse. If you suspect your family member is the victim of nursing home neglect, speak with a compassionate Joliet, IL personal injury attorney to understand your options.

Bed Sores

Bed sores, otherwise known as pressure ulcers, generally develop when someone remains in the same position without shifting their weight for too long. People who are unable to physically move on their own and require help are at a particularly high risk. Nursing home workers are supposed to take specific precautions to prevent bed sores from developing. They should have a regular schedule to help immobile residents change their positions and should be monitoring all mobile residents to see whether any of them begin developing signs of immobility. They should also check the residents for any skin irritation and take prompt action to care for any wounds before bed sores have the chance to develop. If not, the nursing home could be guilty of neglect.

Medication-Related Mistakes

Nursing home residents often take numerous medications for various ailments. These medications are generally administered by nursing home staff, who should have detailed lists of who is given what, special instructions and any allergies or negative drug interactions to be aware of. With so many residents needing so many different medications, the nursing home staff must adopt precautions to ensure that every resident is given exactly what they need and only what they need. Otherwise, the consequences of such nursing home neglect could be dire.

Malnutrition and Dehydration

Nutritionists are often part of a nursing home staff. They review every case and recommend dietary changes based on what each resident needs. If proper care is not given by orderlies responsible for feeding the residents, someone could be given food that might be harmful to them. Also, as nursing home residents age, they might lose some of their independent abilities, including to feed themselves. If a resident is not feeding themself or drinking on their own and this goes unnoticed by the nursing home staff, there is a high risk of harmful dehydration and malnutrition.

Schedule a Free Consultation with a Will County, IL Nursing Home Neglect Attorney

If you suspect your parent is a victim of nursing home neglect, speak with a skilled Joliet, IL personal injury lawyer. At McNamara Phelan McSteen, LLC, we fight passionately for those who cannot fight for themselves, and we will do everything we can to hold a negligent nursing home responsible. Call 815-727-0100 to schedule a free consultation.