Nursing homes are entrusted with keeping many people’s loved ones safe and healthy. Unfortunately, when they are negligent, it can result in residents getting sick, injured, or worse, so you need to watch for these potential signs of nursing home neglect and abuse:
- Bed sores
- One of the most reliable signs of nursing home neglect and abuse is the appearance of bed sores. A resident should not have bed sores if they are being properly attended to by nurses, since they indicate not moving for extended periods of time, and may indicate malnutrition and poor hygiene.
- Soiled clothing or sheets
- When a nursing home resident soils themselves, their clothes and sheets are supposed to be changed as soon as possible. Thus, if you see a resident with soiled sheets or clothing, it may be a sign of neglect or abuse.
- Unexplained weight loss
- Residents are supposed to have both their diet and medicine carefully monitored by staff. If they suddenly begin to lose weight, that can be a sign they are not being fed properly, or their medication needs to be changed.
- Sudden health deterioration
- While nursing home residents tend not to be in good health, their condition is supposed to be monitored and maintained by doctors and nurses on staff. If their health suddenly worsens without explanation, it may be a sign of neglect or abuse.
- Signs of restraints
- Nursing homes are not supposed to use restraints on residents, given that it can cause them harm and makes them anxious. If you see ligature marks or bruises on their wrists or ankles, it can be a sign they were restrained, which is a kind of nursing home abuse.
- Unexplained injuries
- Residents should always be treated with care, so if a resident has an unexplained injury, it may be the result of nursing home neglect or abuse. At best, it means they were careless and allowed the resident to be hurt. At worst, it may mean they were deliberately injured by staff.
- Mood swings or erratic behavior
- A resident’s emotional state can also be a sign of potential neglect and abuse. This is especially true if a resident reacts poorly to specific staff members, as that may be a sign they were abused by that staff.
If you or someone you know has been in an accident that was the result of someone else’s negligence, including being attacked by a dog, contact the New York personal injury lawyers at the Katter Law Firm. We will help you protect your rights and get the compensation you deserve. To schedule a consultation, contact us at 212-809-4293, or visit our contact page.