What are the Signs of Nursing Home Neglect?

Nursing home neglect and nursing home abuse are similar but not the same.

Nursing home abuse implies a specific intent to harm the elder.
Nursing home neglect is defined as a breach of duty or form of sub-standard care that results in harm to the patient.

It is more difficult to show intent than it is to show a breach of duty.  The breach of duty must be reasonably foreseeable as an outcome of the negligent actions.  We help you through this difficult situation with compassion and support.

Here are the types of Nursing Home Neglect:

The four primary types of nursing home neglect are:

• Emotional or social neglect, where the elder person is repeatedly ignored, left alone, or accidentally snapped at by an overstressed nursing home staff
• Personal hygiene neglect, where patients do not receive adequate help with laundry, cleaning, bathing, brushing their teeth, or other forms of hygienic practices
• Basic needs neglect, where the nursing home neglects to provide reasonable food, water, or a safe and clean environment
• Medical neglect, where the nursing home fails to provide adequate attention, prevention, or medication for concerns such as bed sores, infections, cuts, diabetes, cognitive diseases, and mobility concerns

Watch for these signs of Nursing Home Neglect

• Bedsores, or pressure ulcers
• Changes in personal hygiene or appearance efforts
• A growing lack of friendly interaction with the nursing home staff
• Injuries from nursing home falls
• Dehydration
• Malnutrition
• Withdrawn elder behavior, or unusual changes in behavior
• Sudden weight loss
• A growing lack of friendly interaction with the other nursing home residents
• Environmental hazards, such as poor lighting, slippery floors, unsafe mobility equipment, or unsafe furniture in the nursing home patient’s room

If you see any of theses Nursing Home Neglect warning signs, please give us a call immediately.  Waiting can cause more harm.

See our Verdicts & Settlements for Nursing Home Negligence