When you entrust a nursing home with the care of your elderly loved one, you expect the facility and its staff to treat them with dignity and respect. Unfortunately, neglect can happen even in facilities that seem trustworthy.
Nursing home neglect is a big problem affecting many elderly residents. Staying alert and knowing what to look for ensures your relative gets the care they deserve.
Warning signs of neglect
Neglect in nursing homes can show up in different ways. Keep an eye out for these five warning signs:
- Poor hygiene: Your loved one looks unwashed, wears dirty clothes, or smells unpleasant.
- Sudden weight loss: Your family member loses weight quickly without a clear medical reason.
- Bedsores: You spot red, irritated areas on your relative’s skin, often on bony parts of the body.
- Unclean living space: The room or facility looks dirty, smells bad or shows signs of pests.
- Odd behavior: Your loved one becomes withdrawn, anxious or fearful of staff.
These signs might be a sign of neglect, but they can also have other causes. Investigating the situation and talking with nursing home staff about your worries is important.
How you can play an active role
If you think your loved one is suffering from neglect, you should act quickly. These proactive strategies could help you address the situation:
- Write it down: Keep a record of what you see, including dates and times.
- Speak up: Share your concerns with the nursing home managers or reach out to the Minnesota Adult Abuse Reporting Center
- Get help: Consider talking to a lawyer who knows about nursing home abuse cases.
These suggestions can you help protect your loved one and even stop neglect from happening to others.
Nursing home neglect is a big problem, but you can make a difference. By paying close attention and speaking up when needed, you help make sure that a care facility home treats your loved one with care and respect.