Many of us in Olean with loved ones in nursing homes may not have been able to visit them much in 2020. Therefore, as when we are able to visit them finally, we may notice significant declines in their health. While some of these declines are a natural course of aging, others may be signs of nursing home abuse or neglect. The following are some signs of nursing home abuse and neglect that you may see in your loved ones.
A decline in personal hygiene
A person in a nursing home may rely on staff to take care of their personal hygiene needs, especially if they are bedbound. Simple tasks such as dressing, brushing teeth, bathing, brushing hair and others may be difficult for a nursing home resident. Poor hygiene may be a sign of nursing home neglect.
Dirty facilities
Nursing homes must make sure their residents have safe and clean conditions to live in. In fact, under federal law nursing homes must “establish and maintain infection control programs.” These programs aim to make sure their facilities are safe, sanitary and comfortable, as well as meeting state safety, security and health requirements. Visibility dirty facilities, dirty clothes, dirty bedding, dirty bathrooms and unsanitary kitchen areas may all point to nursing home neglect.
Malnutrition and dehydration
Many elderly people have problems chewing food or staying hydrated. They may need their foods specially prepared for them to ingest them. Unfortunately, a lack of oversight or other forms of neglect can lead to malnutrition or dehydration. According to recent research approximately 20% of international nursing home residents were malnourished.
Loss in mobility
Staying mobile can be challenging for elderly nursing home residents who may be weak, ill, or have musculoskeletal problems. Nursing homes are tasked with the duty of ensuring that staff help residents stay as mobile as possible. If a person is left in bed for a long time, they could risk moving all mobility whatsoever. They could also develop bedsores and infections.
Physical injuries and psychological distress
If your loved one has injuries that cannot be explained, these may be the result of physical abuse. In addition, if your loved one is quiet, depressed, angry, resentful or afraid, they may be suffering from emotional abuse. Either of these issues can be a sign of nursing home abuse.
Learn more about nursing home abuse
Nursing home abuse takes many forms, and sometimes it can be hard to detect whether your loved one is a victim. However, if something seems out of the ordinary, it may be worth looking into. Our firm’s website on nursing home negligence may be of interest to those who want to learn more about this topic.
