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Families often place the safety and well-being of their loved ones in the hands of nursing homes. While these facilities are meant to offer compassionate care and support, neglect and mistreatment sometimes happen, even in reputable homes.
For this reason, families must be able to understand the warning signs of neglect and take proactive steps to protect their loved ones. Besides choosing the best homes, they must visit frequently and keep an eye out. Keep reading to learn how to safeguard your aging loved ones.
What Is Neglect in Nursing Homes?
Most people consider nursing home abuse and neglect to be the same thing. However, they have quite different meanings. Abuse involves a resident suffering intentional harm. On the other hand, neglect involves the facility or its employees not keeping to their duty to provide proper care for your loved one.
If nursing homes fail to care for their residents properly, they might face physical and psychological pain. However, each resident faces a different degree of consequences in the case of neglect, which can occur in the following ways:
- When a resident is constantly ignored or left alone
- When they do not receive assistance
- When they do not have access to their basic need
- If they are not given the needed medical treatment
What Are the Signs of Nursing Home Neglect
It might be tricky to identify the signs of neglect in a nursing home. In some cases, neglect does not come with visible physical injuries. Families may also not notice any psychological changes if they live farther from the resident. However, several signs indicate this problem.
Poor personal hygiene is usually the most telling sign of neglect in a nursing home. Residents usually need assistance with bathing, brushing their teeth, and getting dressed. When neglected, they may be unable to clean up properly.
Nursing homes must also keep their facilities clean, but neglect comes in the form of unsanitary conditions. In these situations, residents may face risks of illnesses. You may also notice unexplained injuries when loved ones face neglect in nursing homes. Other signs of neglect in nursing homes include:
- Malnutrition
- Psychological changes
- Dehydration
- Unexplained weight loss
- Unattended medical needs
5 Ways to Protect Loved Ones From Neglect in Nursing Homes
People who live in nursing homes are usually highly vulnerable to neglect. For this reason, families have an active role to play in their safety and health. Here are five ways to protect loved ones from neglect in these care facilities:
Screen Facilities Properly
One important decision that affects your loved one’s well-being is the choice of a nursing home. While this is not an easy choice to make, go through the inspection reports, resident reviews, and staffing details. Visit the facility unannounced to observe the staff behavior, cleanliness, and how residents interact among themselves. Since most nursing homes are booked solid, watch out for problems like staffing shortages.
Choose Local Nursing Homes
By choosing a local nursing home, families can access the facility and monitor care more closely. While proximity helps you track the quality of care being provided, it also allows you to communicate better with staff and caregivers. This way, it will be easier to address concerns quickly and ensure accountability.
Visit Them Frequently
Frequent visits to nursing homes help by ensuring that your loved one receives proper care and attention. Your presence can encourage staff to be accountable and keep you in the loop of affairs in the facility. Regular visits also reassure residents that they are supported and help to pick out early signs of neglect. Families can also determine whether to move their loved ones to assisted living or home health care.
Know Your Loved One’s Medical Needs
Residents in nursing homes can actively get involved in their medical care. However, families can make things easier by staying aware and contributing to the decisions around medications, diet, and treatment plans. Families should also communicate frequently with staff and healthcare providers to ensure they’re following instructions and not neglecting the resident.
Watch Out for Warning Signs
Look out for warning signs of neglect, such as emotional withdrawal and sudden weight loss. These red flags typically show that there is inadequate care or mistreatment. Deal with concerns immediately with staff and report issues to authorities if necessary. If a loved one suffers harm due to neglect, work with a Nursing Home Negligence Lawyer to take legal action.
Endnote
If you have a loved one in a nursing home, consider a few steps to protect them from neglect. These involve screening facilities well, choosing local nursing homes, visiting frequently, knowing their medical needs, and keeping an eye for warning signs.