Although some people confuse Nursing Home Neglect with Nursing Home Abuse, the two are not the same thing. Nursing Home Neglect is when the elder’s needs, such as: assistance with bathing, hygiene, eating, and medical necessities are overlooked. At times, it may be difficult to identify cases of Nursing Home Neglect because there may be no physical signs present that would indicate any symptoms of neglect. What’s more, an elderly patient may not have regular contact with a family member; hence, it makes it more difficult for a person to observe any behavioral changes in the patient that would indicate neglect.
Examples of warning signs of Nursing Home Neglect can include:
- An abrupt loss of weight.
- Sores or ulcers.
- Injuries from falls in the nursing home.
- Dehydration/Malnutrition.
- Unusual changes in social behavior toward the nursing home staff or other tenants there.
Elderly patients occupying negligent nursing homes are at a higher risk of infections, injuries, and/or death. Unfortunately, many cases of Nursing Home Neglect go unobserved and unaccounted for. Reporting a case of Nursing Home Neglect can often mean the difference between life and death for elderly patients. Among the signs of neglect are falls in the nursing home or the patient suffering from strangulation in his or her bed.
It is largely the responsibility of the nursing home staff to insure that there is no neglect toward the patients. The staff must stay on top of all safety concerns: including environmental, sanitary, and physical issues. Family members should keep in mind that the more often they visit the patient, the more likely it is that they will observe the warning signs of Nursing Home Neglect.
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