ByIt can be very hard to decide to put a loved one in a nursing home in Philadelphia. We love them and care about their well-being, and this shows it. But just because we trust a center with their care does not mean we do not have to watch out for their safety.
The grim truth is that nursing home abuse is a widespread problem that can do a lot of damage to our senior loved ones. If you think your loved one is being mistreated in this way, you need to talk to a Philadelphia nursing home neglect attorney right away.
Understanding what nursing home neglect is.
Neglect in a nursing home means not meeting a resident’s basic needs. This can include a lot of different things, like medical care, cleanliness, food, and water. It is important to be aware of the signs that something might be wrong because some cases of neglect may happen by accident because of not having enough staff or training.
How to spot the signs of nursing home neglect.
It is easy to miss the signs of mistreatment in a nursing home, especially for people who have dementia or other brain problems. Here are some important things to keep an eye on:
- The physical appearance of your elderly loved ones.
Look for signs of being thirsty, hungry, having bedsores, losing weight for no clear reason, or not taking care of themselves properly. All of these things could mean that basic needs are not being met.
- Behavioral changes in your loved ones.
If someone’s behavior changes quickly, like becoming shut down, depressed, or angry, it could mean that they are being neglected or even abused. Watch out for signs that your loved one is scared or does not want to talk to staff.
- Changes in their health.
If you notice that existing health problems are getting worse, that new health problems are appearing, or that existing conditions are not getting better, it could mean that they are not getting enough medical care.
- Whether medications are being managed.
Are medicines being given the right way and at the right time? It can be very scary to miss doses or have side effects from taking the wrong medicine.
- Living conditions that are not clean.
Is the resident’s apartment clean and free of clutter? Are there bad smells or signs that pests have taken over? These things can make health problems and a general feeling of not being well worse.
- Significant financial changes.
If a resident’s finances change for no apparent reason or their personal items go missing, this could be a sign of financial abuse.
What should you do if you suspect nursing home neglect?
You should act right away if you think that someone you care about is being neglected in a nursing home. You can do the following:
- Write down everything.
Record your findings in great detail, including dates, times, and any other specifics you notice. Taking pictures is a good idea.
- Talk to the staff at the nursing home.
Talk to the supervisor or head of care at the nursing home about your worries. Write down what they say and what they do next.
- Get family members involved.
You could talk to other family members who visit your loved one often. Check to see if they have seen the same worries.
- Talk to the local government.
You might need to call Adult Protective Services or the police if you think your loved one is in immediate danger.
- Talk to a lawyer.
A lawyer who specializes in elder abuse can tell you what your rights are and, if necessary, help you sue the nursing home.
Senior loved ones can suffer a lot if they are neglected in care homes. It is important to look for signs of abuse and make sure the right care is given to avoid harm. We need to speak up for their protection and dignity because they might not always be able to do it themselves.
