When families place a loved one in a nursing home, they expect the best care possible. An unfortunate reality is that nursing home neglect is a widespread issue, affecting thousands of elderly individuals a year. The National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) found that roughly 1 in 10 nursing home residents experience some form of abuse. This abuse can be subtle at first before escalating into more serious harm.
This guide looks to define what nursing home neglect is, what families should look for, and the importance of contacting a nursing home neglect attorney in Kansas City if they suspect their loved one is being neglected.
What Is a Nursing Home Neglect?
Nursing home neglect is a form of abuse that is committed against the residents of nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other long-term care facilities. There is a difference between nursing home negligence and nursing home abuse.
Abuse involves the willful infliction of injury, unreasonable confinement, intimidation, or punishment that results in physical harm, pain, or mental anguish. Examples of nursing home abuse include (but are not limited to):
- Rough handling
- Punching, slapping, kicking, and hitting
- Aggressiveness with a resident
Neglect is a failure to provide the residents with the services necessary to avoid suffering, harm, mental anguish, or mental illness. Examples of nursing home neglect include (but are not limited to):
- Insufficient oral/dental care
- Not dispensing medications
- Failure to perform prescribed wound care
- Not keeping residents hydrated
- Ignoring a resident’s hygiene
While nursing home neglect may seem less detrimental than overt abuse, it can be just as damaging to the physical and mental health of vulnerable residents.
Common Signs of Nursing Home Neglect
It is often easier to spot physical neglect signs, but even then, these signs can be subtle. Nursing homes are responsible for ensuring residents maintain proper hygiene, receive sufficient nutrition, and have their medical needs met. If staff ignore these needs, the resident may show physical signs of neglect.
Common signs of nursing home neglect include:
Bedsores
Bedsores develop when a person is left in a single position for an extended period of time. If a nursing home resident is immobile or bedridden, the staff should be regularly moving the resident to prevent these sores from forming.
If a resident has discolored patches of skin that are red, feel warm to the touch, and do not turn white when pressed, this may be a physical sign of neglect.
Unexplained Weight Loss
If a resident is suddenly and rapidly losing weight without a medical explanation, they may be suffering from a nutritional deficiency, potentially indicating a lack of appropriate care. Nursing homes are responsible for providing proper care to all residents, and this includes sufficient meals and hydration.
Bruising and Frequent Injuries
An occasional bruise or scratch can happen—accidents are a part of working with elderly residents where falls and trips are common. However, if there are frequent and unexplained bruises, fractures, or cuts, this can be a sign of neglect.
Unsafe living conditions and failure to supervise residents properly can lead to recurring injuries, which fall under nursing home neglect.
Poor Hygiene
A sudden change in a resident’s hygiene can be an indicator of nursing home neglect. This can manifest as the resident appearing disheveled or unclean, their clothing appearing dirty or unkempt, and their oral health declining.
Signs of poor hygiene can suggest that the nursing home may be neglecting to provide the necessary care.
Contact Bartimus Frickleton Robertson Rader for a Nursing Home Neglect Attorney in Kansas City
Recognizing the signs of nursing home neglect early on can help families protect their loved ones from continued harm. If you suspect your loved one is experiencing improper care, consult with a nursing home neglect attorney in Kansas City to better understand your legal options.
At Bartimus Frickleton Robertson Rader, we are committed to ensuring the responsible parties are held accountable for any negligence your loved one has suffered. Reach out to an attorney using our virtual case tool or call our office at (913) 266-2300 to speak with a member of our team.
The above is not intended to be legal advice. Each individual case is different and must be analyzed on its own set of facts and circumstances. If you believe you may have a case, it is critically important that you timely contact a lawyer to ensure your rights are protected.
