Nursing Home Neglect

July 17, 2020

You never expect your loved one to experience injuries in the same place that you trusted to care for them. Nursing home neglect can impact a family in many ways. It can cause direct harm and injury to the elderly. It can also cause the family to lose trust in the nursing home system and require that they find other living options following neglect.

What is Nursing Home Neglect?

Nursing home neglect is similar to nursing home abuse, except that rather than physical injury and harm, the individual is neglected. They may be withheld nutritious meals or left on their own in an unsafe environment.

Nursing home neglect might include:

• Failing to provide seniors with the medical care they need
• Failing to provide seniors with a healthy and nutritious meal
• Withholding necessary medications
• Failing to provide seniors with necessary exercise
• Ignoring seniors, leading to emotional neglect
• Failing to identify psychological difficulties
• Not providing the senior with clean bedding and accommodations
• Failing to provide the senior with a safe environment

There are many forms of nursing home neglect that can impact a senior. Nursing homes are expected to provide seniors with a safe living arrangement. When they fail to do so, whether it is the nursing home coordinators or a specific staff member, they can be found responsible. Their negligence can even lead to disciplinary requirements.

Damages From Nursing Home Neglect

Nursing home neglect can not only lead to physical injuries, but also other issues. Common damages that occur from nursing home neglect include:

• Chronic infections
• Bedsores
• Malnutrition and dehydration
• MRSA
• Choking
• Medication and medical errors
• Flu and other viruses
• Slip and falls

These injuries can lead to expensive medical costs and ongoing treatment. It can also put the family in a difficult situation as they determine the best place for their senior family member. There may be moving and rehabilitation costs also involved in their recovery. Nursing home neglect can get very expensive.

How to Recognize Nursing Home Neglect

Many family members worry about the wellbeing and safety of their senior family member when in a nursing home. It is important to always be on the lookout for potential signs of nursing home neglect. You can often recognize neglect by poor hygiene, dirty rooms, unfriendly staff, and continual health problems.

If you believe that your family member is experiencing nursing home neglect, it is important to take immediate action. Leaving them in a dangerous situation can worsen the outcome. If you are concerned about their immediate safety, then remove them from the nursing home.

Then, report the suspected neglect to your state agency. In New Jersey, you can report this to the New Jersey State Ombudsman State Agency on Aging. The department will look into the report and notify any additional authorities, as needed. If your loved one experienced damages from nursing home neglect, such as moving costs and hospital bills, then it might be useful to discuss your case with a nursing home abuse lawyer.

Contact an Edison Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer to Discuss Your Case Today

Seniors in nursing homes and other care facilities deserve to be treated with respect and dignity. Additionally, nursing home staff needs to ensure that patients are safe and secure at all times. If your loved one suffered an injury, or worse, due to nursing home negligence or abuse in New Jersey, you need to speak with a qualified attorney. The experienced nursing home neglect attorneys at Hoyt & Hoyt, PC represent clients throughout New Jersey including Mount Olive, Roxbury, Montville, and Edison. Call (973) 292-2299 or fill out the online contact form to schedule a consultation today. We have an office conveniently located at 67 East Park Place, 5th Floor, Morristown, NJ 07960, as well as an office in New Brunswick, NJ.

The articles The articles  on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.