Nursing home neglect is when a long-term care facility fails to provide a resident’s basic needs, including adequate food, clothing, medication, supervision, and medical attention. With over 200,000 complaints of neglect and abuse occurring in 2017 alone, nursing home neglect is more common than you may realize. However, recognizing the signs of neglect may be challenging if you aren’t at the facility you’ve entrusted for your loved one’s care every day. Below, we share some subtle warning signs of nursing home neglect and when to contact a nursing home neglect lawyer in CT so your family member gets the care they deserve.
Poor Hygiene
Lack of basic hygiene can be an indication of neglect. You may notice lingering odors, deteriorating dental health, stained or tattered clothing, and dirty or unkempt nails. You may also notice open cuts or scrapes without bandages or proper medical treatment. Environmental conditions such as unwashed sheets, dirty countertops, clutter, and overflowing garbage are also signs that basic needs aren’t being met. These issues may be met with indifference or a lack of urgency if you address them with the facility staff.
Deteriorating Health
Nursing home neglect can cause a sudden shift in physical and mental health. You may notice unexplained weight loss or signs of dehydration, such as cracked lips, fatigue, or sunken eyes. If your loved one suffers from a chronic illness, you may notice that their symptoms get worse and fear the illness isn’t being treated properly. For residents with mobility issues, you may notice increased atrophy due to a lack of exercise and muscle movement.
Recurring Infections
One of the most common signs of nursing home neglect that our Connecticut lawyers see is frequent, recurring, and untreated infections. Bedsores (also called pressure ulcers) are one tell-tale sign of improper care. Bedsores are caused by prolonged blood flow restriction to a specific area of the body due to a lack of movement. They commonly form in areas that come into contact with a bed or wheelchair, such as the tailbone, hips, heels, shoulders, and back of the head. In addition, UTIs are a common infection in long-term care facilities and are the most common cause of hospitalizations for infections for nursing home residents. UTIs are often caused by improper catheter care or a lack of toileting assistance. If these infections aren’t properly treated, they can progress into serious conditions such as sepsis or pneumonia.
Frequent Accidents
A sign of neglectful supervision could be that your loved one regularly experiences “minor” accidents, such as slips and falls, medication errors, or unexplained bruises. When these accidents occur, medical facility staff often offer vague responses to cover what really happened.
Social Isolation
Not all signs of nursing home neglect are physical. Your loved one may experience social or emotional changes like withdrawal, irrational fears, hesitation to interact with particular staff members, depression, confusion, or agitation.
Understaffing
Understaffing is one of the most common causes of nursing home neglect. Nursing staff often work long hours and care for many residents at once. Some may receive more attention than others, violating Connecticut law, which requires nurses to provide a minimum level of direct care to patients based on the number of residents in the facility and time of day.
What You Should Do If You Suspect Nursing Home Neglect
The Patient Bill of Rights, according to Connecticut law, gives patients freedom from abuse or neglect when in another’s care. If you suspect that your loved one may be suffering from nursing home neglect, you should first contact the facility and address your concerns and issues with them. Make sure your interactions are in writing and save all conversations. If your issues aren’t addressed with the facility, and the neglect continues or your loved one has suffered a significant injury due to this lack of care, it’s time to contact a nursing home neglect lawyer in Connecticut to help you get compensation for your loved one’s suffering and injuries.
Moore, O’Brien & Foti: Nursing Home Neglect Lawyers in CT
If you suspect that your loved one is a victim of nursing home neglect, you need to act quickly. The consequences of such neglect can be severe, leading to declining health, emotional trauma, and even wrongful death. At Moore, O’Brien & Foti, we’re dedicated to defending the rights of vulnerable seniors and ensuring negligent nursing homes face consequences. We can help identify patterns and incidents and ensure you and your loved one are fairly compensated for injuries and illnesses caused by nursing home neglect.