If you have made the difficult decision to place your aging loved one in a nursing home, it is the responsibility of the facility to provide compassionate and diligent care.
How can you ensure that the staff is taking this responsibility with the utmost seriousness and treating your loved one with dignity and respect?
Neglect is abuse
Elder neglect is a type of abuse. A nursing home facility or employee may be neglecting a resident if they are not addressing the resident’s needs and have breached their duty of care. Any of the following could be negligent behavior:
- Failing to provide mobility aids like a walker or wheelchair
- Not responding timely to calls for assistance
- Providing incorrect prescription dosages
- Inadequately maintaining the facility and resident rooms
- Infrequently bathing elders or not providing bathing supplies
If you worry that your loved one is being neglected or abused, there are warning signs you can watch out for.
Red flags
Regular visits to your family member or elder friend provide a good opportunity to look for signs of neglect. Changes in mood are one indicator that something is wrong. Speak with your loved one about their care and, if possible, have them recount any concerning incidents. The following could also mean that nursing home staff are neglecting a resident:
- Dehydration or malnutrition
- Unclean living conditions
- Poor hygiene
- Injuries or bedsores
- Weight fluctuations
Neglect may be a difficult type of abuse to identify, but knowing what to look for can help you recognize it.