For many families, admitting a loved one to a nursing home is a necessary step to ensure they receive care and are in a safe environment. Unfortunately, the elderly are a vulnerable group susceptible to mistreatment. Because many Wisconsin nursing homes are woefully understaffed, neglect happens all too often. Our nursing home neglect lawyers discuss below what you need to know to keep your loved ones safe.

What Qualifies as Nursing Home Neglect?

Nursing home neglect is a failure of a nursing home and its staff to provide reasonable care. This neglect can lead to many types of injuries for the elderly who reside in the home. Nursing home residents depend on the staff for appropriate care and to create a safe environment. Without proper assistance, neglected residents can be physically and psychologically harmed. To protect your loved ones, keep an eye out for these common signs of nursing home neglect.

• Poor Hygiene
  Nursing home neglect often arises when a nursing home is severely understaffed. When this is the case, residents’ basic hygiene will suffer. Residents often rely on staff for bathing, brushing their teeth, combing their hair, and getting dressed. When nursing homes overstretch their staff, residents will struggle to perform these tasks on their own. If you notice that your loved one has poor hygiene, this may be a sign of neglect.
• Poor Living Conditions
  If your loved one is living in an unsanitary or messy environment, they may be suffering from neglect. Again, nursing homes with too few staff members may let some duties go unperformed. Poor living conditions are a safety concern and may further indicate that your loved one might be suffering in other ways as well.
• Changes in Emotional State or Outlook
  A more subtle sign of nursing home neglect can be your loved one’s emotional state. Neglect can cause a person to feel alone and uncared for. This will likely cause them to withdraw from others or from their usual activities. It is a good idea to keep an eye on your loved one’s mood and any changes in their behaviors. Of course, sometimes people just have bad days. However, if you notice a persisting problem, your loved one may be suffering from neglect.
• Mobility Issues
  Nursing homes typically have routine activities that get residents up and moving about. Simple exercises or even casual strolls can help elderly people stretch and strengthen their muscles. At the same time, routine movement helps with blood circulation and can relieve joint pain. However, if residents are being neglected, they may not participate in these activities. If your loved one is suffering from a significant decline in mobility, you may consider filing a nursing home neglect report.

Common Nursing Home Neglect Injuries

The types of injuries that commonly arise from nursing home neglect include:

• Falls
  • Broken bones
  • Brain bleeding
• Bedsores
  • Pressure ulcers
• Dehydration
• Malnutrition
• Burns
• Bedrail injuries
• Infections
• Choking
• Bruises
• Lacerations

Worried About Your Loved One? Contact a Racine Personal Injury Lawyer

Nursing home neglect can come in many forms. Sometimes the signs are subtle and thus easy to overlook. At our firm, attorney Kevin Martin is a registered nurse who began his career working in a nursing home. His experience in the medical field can help you spot even the most subtle signs of neglect. If you would like to schedule a free consultation to learn more or discuss your concerns, give us a call at (414)856-4010.