FAQs About Nursing Home Negligence in New Mexico

Even though families look for nursing homes that will keep their aging family members safe and well-supported, some facilities do a poor job caring for the people in their charge. Consequently, many New Mexico residents are witnessing the effects of elderly neglect. If you have trusted a nursing home with your loved one’s well-being and feel that trust has been violated, we recommend reaching out to a lawyer in your area to learn more about pursuing a case.

Below, our New Mexico nursing home negligence lawyers have compiled FAQs about nursing home negligence in New Mexico to help you determine whether you should file a case.

How Common Is Nursing Home Neglect?

Nursing home neglect is a pervasive problem in the United States. Our attorneys recognize that putting an elderly relative in a nursing facility is supposed to ensure their around-the-clock care. However, according to the Nursing Home Abuse Center, 95% of nursing home residents reported neglect within the past year. The organization states, “While nursing home neglect is similar to abuse in the nursing home, there are key differences between the two.” Nursing home abuse implies intent to harm. By contrast, nursing home neglect relates to lapses in the standard of care that ultimately cause harm. New Mexico elder abuse lawyers can further explain this difference to you and help you determine what, exactly, is happening to your loved one.

What Constitutes Nursing Home Neglect?

The four most common forms of elderly neglect are:

1. Medical neglect: Medical neglect occurs when a nursing home fails to provide residents with sufficient attention, prevention, or treatment for concerns like bedsores, cuts, cognitive disorders, diabetes, infections, and mobility issues.
2. Personal hygiene neglect: Personal hygiene neglect happens when a nursing facility does not support residents in cleaning, brushing their teeth, doing laundry, bathing, or other hygienic practices. This type of neglect might be the most apparent to you. If you notice lapses in your elderly relative’s hygiene, call our New Mexico nursing home negligence lawyers immediately.
3. Emotional and social neglect: Emotional and social neglect occurs when the patient is repeatedly ignored, left alone, or snapped at by an overstressed staff member. A tremendous amount of shame surrounds emotional and social neglect, and your loved one might be more guarded when it comes to disclosing this type of abuse.
4. Basic needs neglect: Nursing home negligence lawyers in New Mexico know this type of neglect happens when a nursing home does not provide residents with an adequate amount of food and water or clean, safe living conditions.

The New Mexico elder abuse lawyers of Carabin Shaw know the law and are on your loved one’s side when it comes to nursing home negligence cases.

Who Regulates Nursing Homes in New Mexico?

The New Mexico Department of Health regulates nursing facilities throughout the state. This department, along with the Public Health Division and Health Facility Licensing and Certification Bureau, outlines the requirements for long-term elderly care facilities. These agencies explain that resident services “shall be provided on a continuing twenty-four (24) hour basis” and “maintain or improve physical, mental and psychosocial well-being under plan of care developed by a physician or other licensed health professional and shall be reviewed and revised based on assessment.”

In other words, patients deserve continuous care that improves their overall quality of life. New Mexico attorneys know there is no room for neglect under state codes.

Where Can You Find the Right Lawyer?

If you live in New Mexico and are looking for “nursing home negligence attorneys near me,” look no further. Call Carabin Shaw today. To schedule a free consultation with one of our New Mexico nursing home negligence lawyers, dial 915-779-2301 or reach us toll-free at 1-800-862-1260.

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