Below are some common signs of nursing home neglect that you should be on the lookout for:
Unexplained Weight Loss
While it is normal for older people to lose muscle mass and weight as they age, nursing homes have a responsibility to keep their residents well-nourished and fed. If your loved one is losing weight without an obvious cause, it may be due to the fact that the nursing home is not providing adequate food.
Unexplained Illness
Nursing homes also have a duty to provide adequate medical care and a sanitary, safe environment. While some illnesses are unavoidable, some are the result of neglect on the part of nursing home staff. In addition, while an illness may not be the result of neglect, a failure to adequately treat a patient may be neglectful. If you believe your loved one is receiving substandard medical care in a nursing home, you should contact a lawyer immediately.
Unexplained Injuries
Unexplained injuries like bruises, lacerations, sprains, strains, or broken bones could be a sign of neglect – or worse. Nursing homes are required to provide a safe environment and assistance to those who are unable to get around without help, and neglect can lead to avoidable accidents like slips, trips, or falls. If you notice that your loved one has suffered injuries while at their nursing home, be sure to get to the bottom of it and call a lawyer right away.
Unsanitary Living Conditions
Nursing homes have an obligation to provide their residents with clean and sanitary living conditions. After all, if their residents were able to live independently and take care of themselves, they would not be in a nursing home to begin with. Unsanitary conditions like soiled clothing or bed sheets, overflowing trash, dirty clothing, or a lack of personal hygiene could very well be a sign of neglect on the part of nursing home staff.
Bedsores
Bedsores, or pressure sores, are a sign that a nursing home resident has not received adequate care and are typically a sign of neglect. If your loved one has developed bedsores in a nursing home, you should contact an attorney right away.
Call Us Today to Schedule a Free Consultation with an Atlanta Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
If you believe that your loved one has been subjected to nursing home abuse in the Atlanta area, you should contact a lawyer as soon as you can. At Slappey & Sadd, our experienced team of attorneys knows how to get injured nursing home residents the compensation they deserve under the law. To schedule your free case evaluation, call our office today at 888.474.9616 or contact us online.