How to Spot Nursing Home Negligence Before it's too Late

Caring for an elderly parent or loved one can be overwhelming as our aging family member begins to lose their ability to function independently. With loss of memory, balance, or agility, independence can at times be hazardous to the health of the elderly. The difficult decision to have our family member reside in a nursing home is often made with trepidation. Many Pleasanton residents have had to make this difficult decision with hopes that the nursing facility they choose allows their loved one the dignity of a respectable and still fulfilling life.

Unfortunately, some have found that the facilities they chose do not measure up to their expectations. Others, even more tragically, find that that their loved one has been mistreated and are in need of a Pleasanton nursing home negligence attorney.

Unthinkable as it may be, there are those in the adult care community that do not have our vulnerable loved one's best interest in mind. In fact, nursing home neglect is more common than most believe, even when many of these cases go unreported. If you should even suspect that your family member has been neglected or abused, consult an experienced lawyer who can help you know how to spot nursing home neglect before it’s too late.

Know the Signs of Nursing Home Neglect

Understanding the signs of neglect can help you determine if it is necessary to take legal action against the Pleasanton adult facility responsible for your family member’s care. Neglect can be difficult to detect. Often the signs of neglect do not appear for significant periods of time and require family members to by hyperattentive to subtle changes in mood, behavior, and appearance. Unlike outright physical abuse, where broken limbs and bruises can create telltale signs, the effects of neglect can be gradual and subtle. Here are some signs to look for in your loved one:

• Poor hygiene: Poor hygiene can lead to dental problems, pain when walking if toenails are left to grow too long, and can lead to bacterial or fungal infections.
• Unexplained bed sores: Patients that have deteriorated muscle or impairments in movement require staff to help them turn over in bed. If left to lay on one side for too long, sores can develop. Bed sores on mobile patients can also indicate that the patient is not encouraged to leave their bed often or is required to stay in their room.
• Malnutrition or dehydration: Patients may not be receiving adequate hydration and may not have access to water regularly. This may be coupled with malnutrition as well.
• Depression: Although this may be difficult to assess, changes in mood can be an indication that the patient feels detached from others or is being emotionally ignored by staff.

There are other signs that help you understand how to spot nursing home neglect before it’s too late. In addition to changes that you may observe in your loved one, Pleasanton residents should also make observations of the facility itself, the staff, and the condition of the other residents. Here are some indicators to pay close attention to:

• Cleanliness of the common areas: take note of how often the facilities are cleaned. Look around bathrooms and kitchen areas especially.
• Staff behavior: observe any interactions between the staff and other residents. Is the staff attentive to the needs of the residents? Monitor how the residents respond to staff. Do they seem scared? Upset? Do they have a genuinely friendly communication?
• Staff to resident ratio: are there enough staff for the number of patients? Does the staff seem overworked?
• Other residents: do the residents seem reasonably content? What is the general mood of the facility, particularly among other residents?

Should you suspect Pleasanton nursing home negligence speak with an attorney at Carabin Shaw immediately for a free consultation. Our knowledgeable lawyers can help you piece together any evidence you have to see if you have a case on behalf of your loved one. It is vital to know how to spot nursing home neglect before it’s too late, and too often we second guess our own intuition. Having a good legal team beside you to verify where your hunch is valid and where reasonable explanations may exist is important in knowing how to proceed.

If your loved one is in a Pleasanton nursing facility, and you feel that they are not getting appropriate care, you deserve to have an attorney to help you fight for your family member’s rights. No one should be subjected to abuse or neglect in the golden years of their life. Let our attorneys help give you the tools to give your loved one the quality of life they deserve. Call us today day or night at 800-862-1260.

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