Many of the country’s seniors live in nursing homes and rely on caregivers to take care of their basic needs, such as feeding them, helping them mobilize and taking their medication. However, many nursing homes are understaffed or find it difficult to retain qualified people for the job.
Over half of the nation’s reported cases of elder abuse pertain to elder neglect. Neglect may be intentional or unintentional, based on circumstances such as being in denial about an elderly person’s real needs or
ignorance of how to properly care for him or her.
Types of Nursing Home Neglect
Nursing home neglect can take on many different forms. The primary forms of nursing home neglect include:
Emotional Neglect
This type of neglect involves ignoring or leaving an elderly person alone for too much time. It can also include accidentally getting impatient or snapping at a nursing home resident out of frustration without intending to be abusive.
Basic Needs Neglect
Another form of nursing home neglect is basic needs neglect. This form of neglect occurs when the nursing home deprives the elderly resident of what is necessary, such as food or water. It can also occur when a resident is kept in an unsafe environment.
Medical Neglect
Medical neglect occurs when the nursing home resident does not receive the medical treatment, medicine or attention that he or she needs. For example, many nursing home residents have problems with mobility. If they are not repositioned after a certain amount of time, they may develop bed sores.
Personal Hygiene Neglect
This form of neglect occurs when nursing home residents do not get the help that they need with grooming, cleaning after themselves, bathing, brushing their teeth, cleaning their clothes or other hygiene matters.
Possible Signs of Neglect
To protect nursing home residents, loved ones must stay conscious of possible signs of neglect. Some common warning signs include:
Poor Hygiene
Nurses, caregivers and other medical staff are expected to help elders with their basic hygiene needs, such as getting dressed, grooming and bathing. If a person is being neglected, they may have an unkempt appearance or they may smell. This may be one of the most noticeable signs of potential neglect and may also be one of the first signs that are spotted. Often, when nursing homes do not have adequate staff, the hygiene of residents may suffer.
Weight Loss
Neglect may cause a resident to suffer from sudden weight loss. Elderly patients may suffer from malnutrition and related illnesses. They may also suffer from dehydration. This type of neglect may be due to inadequate staffing or the difficulty related to retaining staff.
Unsanitary Environment
Another possible sign of nursing home neglect is an unsanitary living environment. Nursing homes are required to ensure that their residents have a safe and clean living environment. Federal laws also mandate that nursing homes maintain a program designed to prevent infection and provide a sanitary environment for their residents. There may be additional requirements at the state level to which the nursing home must comply.
Unexplained Injuries
Unexplained injuries may be indicative of abuse or neglect. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that approximately 1,800 individuals die in nursing homes every year because of falls. Elderly individuals may suffer from physical injuries if they slip and fall or are otherwise hurt on accident in a nursing home. Injuries may include fractures, head injuries, bruises or others. Nursing home staff can help prevent a person from these injuries, such as helping a resident walk around a nursing home. Additionally, nursing home staff can help reduce the incident of falls by keeping pathways clear, installing grab bars, being careful about drug prescriptions and providing comprehensive training for their employees.
Emotional Signs
Nursing home residents who are neglected may show emotional disturbances, such as having sudden outbursts, crying, being withdrawn or showing a lack of interest in favorite activities. Elderly individuals may feel scared to talk about these issues or may grow distant from loved ones. They may suffer from anxiety or depression. They may have other sudden changes in behavior. A potential warning sign of neglect is if there is no friendly interaction between staff and residents.
Lack of Mobility
Individuals who are neglected may not be taken out of their rooms or beds. They may have pressure ulcers from being in the same position for too long. Nursing homes that are providing proper care will help residents mobilize and exercise. They may have walking programs in place to help with the residents’ muscle tone and strength.