Older adults may move into nursing homes because they have extensive care needs. Someone struggling with significant physical limitations or dementia may require more hands-on support than their family members can provide. Securing professional care may be the only way to protect someone with age-related medical challenges. Unfortunately, nursing homes do not always provide appropriate care and support for residents. Oftentimes, there aren’t enough staff members on hand to meet the needs of every resident in a timely manner.
Even when there are, burnout and personal vendettas might lead to staff members failing to meet the needs of certain people. Family members checking on loved ones in nursing homes need to watch carefully for warning signs of negligent care. The following are some of the signs that a loved one may not have received the support they require for their health and safety.
Recent falls
The possibility of someone falling is one reason why families move their loved ones into nursing homes. That way, there are staff members available 24/7 to help someone go to the bathroom and get dressed. That support should reduce their risk of falling. Nursing homes should evaluate residents for fall risk and respond promptly when they ask for support. If someone falls, especially if they fall repeatedly and suffer injuries, that can be a sign of negligent care.
Bedsores
Technically, anyone with limited mobility could be at risk of developing bedsores. However, nursing home staff members can prevent the development of bedsores in many cases by repositioning people, using cushions and checking residents for early warning signs frequently. If minor bedsores develop, staff members can increase their interventions to help those wounds heal and prevent infection. Later-stage and infected bed sores are particularly concerning indicators of inadequate care.
Elopement incidents
Older adults struggling with dementia may attempt to leave a nursing home either out of confusion or because they feel unsafe. Workers at nursing homes should evaluate residents for elopement risk and use appropriate security practices when someone is at risk of wandering off by themselves. Older adults who leave a nursing home could end up injured because they fall, struck by vehicles or hurt due to environmental exposure.
Negligence in nursing homes can cause serious medical issues and might lead to life-altering medical challenges for vulnerable older adults. Holding a facility accountable for nursing home negligence may benefit other residents and compensate those harmed by poor care standards.
