When we think about the things that can go wrong in a nursing home, abuse is what we tend to think of first. And while abuse is terrible and should be called out and stopped whenever it occurs, there is another problem that is just as dangerous. That problem is neglect. Neglect is different from abuse because abuse is a direct action against a resident, but neglect means that the resident gets ignored and abandoned. That means their needs are not being fulfilled and their concerns are not being heard, which could have detrimental consequences to the resident’s well-being.
If a resident is being neglected, then the person who notices that neglect, whether it is a staff member or a family member, should contact a nursing home abuse attorney to help them. The attorney can help to put a stop to the neglect, get the resident compensation for the damages caused by the neglect, and help to ensure that the nursing home is not neglectful towards other residents. So get in touch with an attorney if you notice any signs of the following kinds of nursing home neglect.
Medical Neglect
As the title suggests, medical neglect is when the staff fails to provide a resident with the necessary medical care; needless to say, that can have a negative effect on the health of the resident. Some kinds of medical neglect include the following:
- Failure to administer the required medication
- Not moving residents with mobility problems, which could lead to problems like bedsores
- Not reporting the signs and symptoms of infection or sickness to doctors
- Lack of care for residents with health problems
Emotional Neglect
This kind of neglect can be bad for the resident’s mental health since it can leave them feeling depressed, lonely, and uncared for. That is why it is just as important for nursing home staff to take care of the resident’s mental health as their physical health. Some kinds of emotional neglect are as follows:
- Not speaking or engaging with residents
- Not allowing a resident to communicate with the other residents
- Not helping residents who have mobility problems get closer to other residents
Neglect of Hygiene and Basic Needs
This means that the basic health care needs of a resident are getting ignored. That could cause problems like infections and poor health. It is also the failure to provide basic dignity to residents who might need help. Some kinds of basic neglect include the following:
- The failure to change their sheets and bedding when they get dirty
- Not changing or washing the resident’s clothing
- Failure to regularly clean the resident’s room
- Not cleaning or bathing a resident
- Not checking on a resident if they have suffered an accident
Signs of Nursing Home Neglect
Neglect can be nearly as bad as abuse because it can leave the resident with various health problems. Some signs of neglect to look out for include the following:
- Bedsores
- Bruises, fractures, or other injuries
- Malnutrition
- Dehydration
- Hygiene problems
- Insomnia or other sleep problems
- Depression
Contact an Attorney If You Notice Signs of Neglect
Nursing home neglect is a big problem that needs to be quickly remedied when it happens. That is why, if you live in Illinois and know of someone who has been injured because of neglect or abuse, then you should contact the Illinois Department of Public Health’s Nursing Home Complaint Hotline at 1-800-252-4343 and then contact the Rooth Law Firm.
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