Nursing homes have the responsibility to care for their residents and protect them from harm. When nursing homes fail to live up to their obligations, residents can suffer personal injuries and mental decline. There are four signs of nursing home neglect that family members of nursing home residents in New Mexico and other states should keep in mind to protect their loved ones.
Physical Injuries
Injuries sustained by nursing home residents are a tell-tale sign of nursing home neglect. If a nursing home resident breaks a bone or suffers soft tissue injuries as a result of a fall or another cause, it could be a sign that a nursing home failed to properly care for the resident. Moreover, if the resident has bedsores, this could mean that staff failed to properly move the resident or otherwise prevent the onset of such sores. Family members should document all injuries and speak with a nursing home abuse attorney if residents suffer injuries.
Mental Issues
Mental decline may be a sign of nursing home neglect. Residents of nursing homes who are isolated and lack social interaction may decline mentally, so nursing homes need to ensure that residents have sufficient stimulus to maintain their mental state.
Insufficient Personal Hygiene
If residents in nursing homes lack basic personal hygiene, it could be a sign that they are not receiving the attention they need. Nursing home staff should adequately bathe, shave and clean residents on a regular basis. This not only minimizes the chance that residents can experience health issues, but it can also boost the morale of nursing home residents.
Lack of Nutrition
Nursing homes should ensure that residents have adequate access to nutritious food so that they can maintain their health. If residents of a nursing home experience unexplained weight gain or weight loss, this could mean that they are not receiving the attention that they need. If your loved one is the victim of nursing home neglect, it is important to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney to protect their rights.