26 Sep WHAT TO DO IF A LOVED ONE IS BEING NEGLECTED IN A NURSING HOME
Posted By Gruenberg Kelly Della || 26-Sep-2018
Signs Your Loved One May Be Experiencing Neglect
It can be scary to place responsibility for your aging loved one’s health in the hands of nursing home staff, especially since you can’t be there 24/7 to observe the quality of care your loved one receives. However, there is much you can do to ensure your loved one’s health, especially if you visit frequently and directly involve yourself in their care.
Next time you pop in on your loved one at their nursing home, be sure to look out for the following signs of neglect:
- Uncharacteristic disorientation and deteriorated mental status
- Scent of feces or urine due to soiled briefs
- New immobility problems or reduced ability to stand, transfer, and perform normal activities alone
- Apparent lapse in personal hygiene, which may take the form of long fingernails, plaque buildup on teeth, excessive body odor, etc.
- Unexplained injuries such as bruises, broken bones, etc.
- Weight loss
- Dehydration
- Bedsores and related infections
- Changes in mood or personality, such as depression or other signs of social isolation
How to Respond to Nursing Home Neglect
When you visit your loved one and see signs of nursing home neglect, you must act quickly and follow specific protocol to resolve it. Be sure to do the following as soon as you suspect your loved one is being neglected by staff:
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- Talk to your loved one and ask them how they feel about the quality of care they receive and ask whether they feel the staff treat them with proper attention.
- Write down your observations, take pictures, and keep a log of your conversations with staff about your loved one’s care.
- Talk to the staff and express your concerns that your loved one is not receiving the attentive care they need. Move up the chain of command, if necessary, and speak to administrators.
- Visit again and make note of any improvements (or lack thereof) in your loved one’s health and quality of care.
- If your loved one’s health is seriously declining, despite your efforts to bring it to the attention of the staff, make arrangements to move your loved one to a different facility as soon as possible and contact a legal representative immediately.
Nursing Home Neglect Attorneys Serving Families in Long Island
If your loved one’s health is on the line, don’t wait another minute. We may be able to help you pursue justice for your family member and hold the neglectful party responsible for failing to provide adequate care. At Gruenberg Kelly Della, we have personally handled thousands of cases involving injuries caused by negligence, including instances of nursing home neglect. Connect with a member of our team right away in order to schedule your free consultation.
Call (888) 305-6372 today to speak to a nursing home neglect lawyer in Long Island.