4 Signs of Nursing Home Neglect to Look Out For

 Posted on August 11, 2023 in Nursing Home Abuse

When an elderly person cannot live safely at home anymore, they may need to be placed in a skilled nursing facility. A nursing home’s main duty is to look out for the health and safety of its residents. Each individual living in a nursing home should have their particular needs met daily. Unfortunately, many nursing homes are currently severely understaffed. This may mean that your loved one’s nursing home may or may not have enough staff to provide the full amount of care they need. Even a nursing home that is well-staffed can be neglectful of residents. It is important to check up on your loved ones who live in nursing homes to make sure that they are receiving all necessary care. If your loved one has been harmed due to neglect in a nursing home, they may have a case against the home and be entitled to compensation. An attorney can help assess your particular situation to determine whether your loved one may have suffered harm caused by inadequate care. 

How to Tell if Your Loved One is Possibly Being Neglected

Over the course of even a short visit, there may be signs suggesting that something is wrong. Signs of possible neglect in nursing homes include: 

• Sudden personality changes - It is normal for the personality of an elderly person in a care home to change over time as their age-related diseases progress. However, if you notice that your loved one’s personality seems to have drastically shifted and they are now fearful, angry, or stressed, it could be because they are not getting the care they need. 

• Unanswered call lights - If your loved one has a need arise while you are visiting, use their call light. If it takes a long time for someone to respond, your relative might not be getting their needs met. Call lights in nursing homes should be answered quickly due to the likelihood of a resident having a medical emergency or fall. 

• Communication challenges - While it is normal to need to wait for a call back from a provider when you have specific questions about your loved one’s care, you should generally be able to reach the care team with relative ease. 

• Irritable staff - If the staff is in a constant rush and seems quite short on patience, it may be because the home is badly understaffed and there are not enough caregivers helping out. 

If you notice these signs, it is important to begin monitoring your loved one more closely and checking for signs of physical harm like unexplained injuries or sudden loss of mobility. 

Contact a Chicago Nursing Home Abuse Attorney

Schwartz Injury Law is committed to the safety of seniors in nursing homes. Our caring Chicago nursing home lawyers will strive to ensure that your loved one receives the compensation they need to get the care they deserve. For a complimentary consultation, please call 312-535-4625. 

Source: https://health.usnews.com/health-news/best-nursing-homes/articles/2013/02/26/9-warning-signs-of-bad-care