What You Can Do to Prevent Nursing Home Neglect
Nursing home neglect happens undetected all the time. Many loved ones do not notice until the harm and damages are already done. Catching neglect sooner than later could minimize this harm and protect your loved one from future harm. This starts with recognizing signs of neglect and then taking legal action. Reach out to a Wilmington nursing home abuse lawyer if you are interested.
DETECTING NURSING HOME NEGLECT
Being aware of some of the most common types of nursing home neglect might make it easier to detect them. Neglect is defined as a failure of a facility or staff member to provide services to protect a nursing home resident from harm. This includes protecting nursing home residents from physical and emotional harm.
Many cases of neglect are discovered after the harm has already been done. A common example of neglect includes not tending to residents in need of medical attention. This type of neglect can take many forms including:
- Failure to perform fall risk evaluations and unassisted falls
- Failing to check for pressure injuries like bed sores
- Not coming to the aid of a resident who is choking
Neglect also happens when nursing home staff members do not keep up with maintaining the basic needs of a resident. This could turn into dehydration, malnutrition, worsening infections, and lack of access to needed medications. In the most severe cases of these examples, residents have passed away.
Each of these examples can be used to look for signs of neglect. Signs of neglect for dehydration and malnutrition, for example, may look like significant losses in weight or hunger complaints. Paying attention to common patterns of issues and complaints is vital for detecting and then preventing neglect.
HOW TO STOP NURSING HOME NEGLECT
Neglect can be stopped in a variety of ways. The loved one can remove the resident from the nursing home in some cases. Family members may take legal action against the nursing home. Part of stopping nursing home neglect may also involve reporting the neglect and talking to nursing home staff.
Nursing homes can also reduce neglect by taking steps to improve documentation, the work environment, and overall management. Neglect is often caused by poor documentation or not keeping up with changes in records like new medications. Chaotic and disorganized work environments can lead to stress and time limitations that lead to neglect.
Management issues like not hiring competent staff, ignoring rules, and letting mistakes slide can lead to problems later. Consider contacting a Wilmington nursing home abuse lawyer if you suspect abuse or neglect. A lawyer can help you take legal action.
NURSING HOME ABUSE LAWYER IN DELAWARE
Finding out your loved one was harmed by neglect can be incredibly frustrating. An experienced Delaware nursing home abuse attorney is prepared to help you take legal action against the abuser. All you have to do is call Edelstein Martin & Nelson today at (302) 295-5050 for a free consultation about what happened. Our team of lawyers can help you take legal steps to stop the neglect and obtain compensation for damages like pain and suffering.