When you decide to move a loved one into a nursing home, you expect them to receive the care, attention, and dignity they deserve. But what happens when, instead of compassionate treatment, your loved one is left to suffer in silence?
Unfortunately, there are often instances of nursing home negligence found amongst these facilities.
It may not always look like outright abuse; it can be subtle, systemic, or hidden behind polite words and smiling faces. But the consequences of nursing home abuse can be traumatic for your loved one.
Here are some of the most common examples of nursing home negligence. If these scenarios feel familiar, it might be time to take action and protect your loved one.
Preventable Falls
As we get older, our chances of falling increase. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, falls are the leading cause of injuries and injury death in those 65 and older.
Many nursing home residents are at a higher risk of falling due to mobility limitations, medication side effects, or chronic health conditions. Facilities are legally required to assess fall risks and implement protections, such as walkers, grab bars, bed alarms, or supervised mobility.
When a resident falls and suffers a broken hip or head injury, families might be told that it is just an accident. But in many cases, this is a failure to monitor, assist, or respond to these incidents.
Bedsores and Pressure Ulcers
Bedsores are a classic red flag of nursing home neglect. They occur when a person lies in one position for too long. This causes the skin to break down. In turn, that can lead to infection. Staff should be trained to reposition immobile residents every two hours. They also need to make sure the bedding is clean and identify early warning signs.
Stage III or IV bedsores indicate that someone was not doing their job. If your loved one has developed painful sores, you need to ask serious questions about the level of care in the facility.
Are Malnutrition and Dehydration Considered Nursing Home Neglect?
Neglect can manifest into a slow and quiet decline. This can include weight loss, cracked lips, confusion, and fatigue. These are red flags of inadequate nutrition or hydration.
A nursing home is responsible for making sure every resident receives proper meals, snacks, and fluids. If your loved one is losing weight or seems weaker than they used to be, never let the staff dismiss it as a part of aging. Malnutrition and dehydration are potentially life-threatening, and they’re almost always preventable with proper care.
Medication Errors
While this sounds unthinkable, medication errors are common in long-term care facilities.
These mistakes can quickly escalate into serious medical emergencies, whether due to understaffing, poor communication, or lack of training. Residents rely on nursing homes to administer their medications correctly and on time. When staff members fail to do so, the consequences can include organ failure, stroke, or death.
Delayed or Ignored Medical Care
Nurses and caregivers monitor residents for signs of illness or distress. However, in understaffed facilities, symptoms can go unnoticed for days. A urinary tract infection might not be treated until it causes sepsis, and a stroke might be brushed off as confusion.
If a resident shows sudden changes, like slurred speech, fever, agitation, or unresponsiveness, delays in treatment can impact their prognosis. This is more than neglect; it can be a matter of life and death.
What Unsanitary or Unsafe Nursing Home Conditions are Considered Negligence?
Clean rooms, dry bedding, and accessible bathrooms are not luxuries; they are the bare minimum of amenities in a nursing home. Unfortunately, many residents are left with soiled clothing, uncleaned showers, or rodent or pest infestations.
Unhygienic conditions affect the dignity of residents. Plus, they can increase the risk of infection and illness. If your loved one’s room smells constantly of urine or their laundry is never done, you must speak up.
Emotional and Physical Abuse
Neglect often walks hand-in-hand with abuse. Sometimes, it could be yelling, mocking, or isolating a resident. Other times, this abuse can turn physical with unexplained bruises, restraint marks, or fear when certain staff members enter the room.
Residents with dementia or limited communication skills are especially vulnerable. Unfortunately, they are less able to report what is happening.
Trust your instincts if your loved one withdraws, seems anxious, or shows sudden behavioral changes. Something may be very wrong.
How do Negligent Hiring or Understaffing Contribute to Nursing Home Neglect?
Many problems in nursing homes can be traced back to one root issue: not enough qualified staff.
Everyone suffers when a facility hires people without proper background checks, skips training, or fails to provide adequate staffing. Residents wait longer for help. Mistakes multiply. Corners get cut.
Families deserve to know that the people caring for their loved ones are vetted, supported, and held accountable.
What Can You Do?
If you suspect nursing home negligence, never brush it off. To document your concerns effectively, take pictures, keep a log of conversations, and request care plans and incident reports.
Above all, consider speaking with a lawyer who understands the legal landscape of elder care. No one should suffer in silence, especially our most vulnerable loved ones.
At Prince Law Firm, we are ready to help during this time. If you need guidance on beginning this process or want to know what legal options are available, contact us today.
