Cases we handle
Nursing Home Neglect
Nursing Homes, Eldercare, and Abuse
For those with loved ones in nursing homes, eldercare and abuse are often feared. Below are details for how to determine the difference between abuse and neglect, as well as what to look out for when visiting loved ones.
Eldercare abuse and neglect are similar, but not exactly the same. Eldercare abuse involves clear intent to harm to the elder, and is often the more obvious of the two. However, neglect in a nursing home also can have terrible consequences. Nursing home neglect refers to the disregard of obligations or low quality attention given to an elder that leads to the elder’s injury due to the facility’s carelessness.
Types of Eldercare Neglect
All cases of eldercare neglect can differ, as each case is different, but there are four common types of neglect.
- Lack of basic needs: where the nursing home fails to give the elders their core necessities such as food, water, and/or a sound sanitary living atmosphere.
- Medical Neglect: when the proper attention is not given to the elders’ medication or medical concerns by the nursing home.
- Hygienic Neglect: where the elders do not receive the proper assistance with their upkeep, such as bathing, having clean clothes, etc.
- Emotional/Social Neglect: when the elders are repeatedly mistreated by staff, such as ignoring them, isolating them, or accidently lashing out at the elder due to being stressed.
Types of Nursing HomeNeglect
Nursing home neglect can be difficult to catch if there are not family or friends consistently checking on the elder, but there are a few signs to detect neglect:
- Changes in weight, appearance, hygiene, or behavior, especially weight loss and/or inhibited behavior
- Sores or injuries, constantly falling, or other inexplicable injuries
- Loss of mobility
- Lack of desire to interact with staff or other residents
- Dangerous atmosphere, unclean, poorly lit areas, malfunctioning equipment, etc.
What are the Risks?
Nursing home neglect can put the elder at risk of exposure to disease, injury, or, at worse, death. Frequent visits with a loved one in a nursing home have been proven to prevent nursing home abuse. While visiting, all changes in behavior, environment, and health should be noted as a precaution. It is important to know the warning signs and report them with staff or medical professionals if needed. It is the nursing home’s responsibility to care for the elder at their most vulnerable point in life, and lack of doing so is illegal and can be detrimental to the survival of your loved one.
If you fear that your loved one has been a victim of nursing home abuse or neglect, please contact a qualified attorney. Attorneys can help get your loved one moved to a different nursing home, obtain necessary medical care, and receive the monetary compensation that they deserve. The attorneys at Kreger Law Firm are happy to assist you in seeking justice should nursing home abuse or neglect happen to your loved one.
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Call Kreger Law Firm at (888) 820-5885 to speak to a North Carolina Personal Injury Lawyer today