Philadelphia Nursing Home Malpractice Lawyer

What Constitutes Neglect in a Nursing Home?

The list above is by no means a comprehensive one when it comes to issues that can arise in nursing home care. While we may often think of physical injuries or abuse when we think of problems in a nursing home, neglect or negligence is an equally dangerous form of abuse that our elder loved ones can suffer while living in long-term care facilities. 

When a staff member intentionally fails to properly feed, medicate, or bathe a resident, these negligent actions can lead unintentionally to injuries or death. And accidental nursing home neglect can be just as harmful as intentional neglect. If a staff member administers the incorrect medication to a resident, whether on purpose or by accident, the side effects can have serious, and sometimes life-threatening, consequences. 

Why Does Nursing Home Abuse Happen?

A large majority of cases of negligence in nursing homes come down to one simple factor; understaffing. When a facility tries to save money and cut corners by short staffing a facility, it leaves the employees stressed, handling impossible workloads, and often unable to properly care for residents. Simple measures like washing hands and disinfecting surfaces fall by the wayside, which can lead to outbreaks of infections like COVID-19. 

Sometimes neglect or negligence can stem from a facility providing improper training to its staff, or not doing proper background checks on their employees. This can be risky to other employees as well as staff. Whatever the cause, remember that negligence in nursing homes may be the fault of one or more parties. This includes the employee, hiring agencies, or the facility itself. Talking with a skilled attorney can help you understand who is ultimately at fault for the negligence occurring in the nursing home where your loved one resides. 

What Are Warning Signs of Abuse and Neglect in a Nursing Home?

Take note of any issues with staff members, especially:

• Excessive use of restraints on a resident
• Providing incorrect doses of medication on a frequent basis
• Conflicting accounts, or accounts that change over time, about the cause of injuries to a resident.

Warning signs of abuse or neglect in a nursing home can sometimes be difficult to spot. Be on the lookout for things such as:

• Bedsores (also known as pressure ulcers/pressure sores)
• Bruises, broken bones, or unexplained injuries
• Malnutrition
• Dehydration
• Issues with personal hygiene
• Significant personality changes
• Unexplained depression or withdrawal from normal activities

Unfortunately, it is often difficult to know when negligence is at fault for these issues. Mental impairments, such as Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, can make it difficult to identify if neglect is occurring. Sadly, when an older adult has dementia or other cognitive issues, both psychological and physical abuse are more likely to occur. 

If you are concerned about a loved one experiencing neglect or abuse in their nursing home or long-term care facility, it can be difficult to know what steps to take to protect them. Contacting a skilled nursing home malpractice attorney can help connect you with experts on nursing home abuse. The lawyers at Thistle Law can investigate your claim to help give you peace of mind, and bring anyone responsible for negligence to justice.