Taking care of residents is the top priority of the nursing home staff. When they aren’t taking care of things in the manner they should, residents can suffer harm due to negligence. It isn’t always easy to notice signs of this problem. Being watchful for the signs that show something is amiss is imperative if you have a loved one in a nursing home.
One of the easiest signs that something is wrong is bruising or other outward injuries. These can signal that your loved one is being abused, but it can signal negligence if the injuries are due to the person falling often.
There is also a chance that your loved one will have mental or emotional changes. These might manifest as seeming withdrawn or agitated. You may notice that they are isolated and that the employees hover over them. This could be because they don’t want the resident to say anything about the abuse or neglect.
Another sign that there is something going on is that there don’t seem to be enough staff members to care for the patients. If patients are waiting too long for care, including toileting, meals or other assistance, you might have to find out if understaffing is a problem. You might also notice phones that constantly ring or call lights that are going unanswered.
It is always best to err on the side of caution. You can’t just overlook the possible signs that show negligence. If you see that something is wrong, find out what steps you can take to correct the situation. This might include legal action.
