Social or Emotional Neglect in New Mexico Nursing Homes

We expect nursing homes to provide quality, around-the-clock care to our loved ones. The New Mexico Department of Health does its best to ensure nursing home residents receive proper attention. However, patients don’t always get the treatment they deserve. Indeed, cases of New Mexico nursing home negligence can further complicate an already challenging time in an older person’s life.

Fortunately, there are ways to seek reparations for damages. New Mexico elder abuse lawyers with experience in nursing home negligence cases can help you address the issue. An attorney will be able to determine whether the damage sustained can be linked to staff carelessness or incompetence.

In New Mexico, specific regulations exist to prevent nursing home negligence, including:

• Proper patient-to-staff ratio (one staff member for every 9-10 residents)
• Presence of a full-time director of nursing
• One nursing staff member on duty around the clock
• Direct care hours, carried out by a nursing director

When such requirements are not met, residents are subjected to an increased risk of failing health. Some forms of nursing home negligence render physical damages, such as a deterioration of mobility, bedsores, or infection. Other types of injuries are related to the mental and emotional wellbeing of a patient. These are typically less apparent and may develop over a long period. Common examples of social and emotional New Mexico nursing home negligence include:

• Ignoring or neglecting patients
• Constant berating and yelling
• Verbal abuse
• Humiliation or ridicule
• Intimidation
• Isolation from other residents
• Restriction of interaction with family

In New Mexico nursing homes, such forms of emotional negligence can be challenging to detect for a variety of reasons. Both the nursing home resident and his or her family might be afraid to speak up, or even threatened not to do so. This fear can heighten feelings of emotional isolation and add to a resident’s mental deterioration. New Mexico elder abuse lawyers and loved ones should typically look for the following signs of neglect:

• Poor hygiene and lack of cleanliness
• Not dressed appropriately for weather conditions
• Frequent emergency room visits
• Changes in appetite and sleep patterns
• Low self-esteem
• Diminished eye contact or willingness to interact
• Mood swings

Sometimes, residents are unaware of their mistreatment. This lack of awareness might connect to an inability to comprehend what is happening or a lack of knowledge regarding appropriate care. An experienced nursing home negligence lawyer in New Mexico will be able to help you detect even the earliest signs of social or emotional neglect.

If someone you love experienced social or emotional neglect in New Mexico nursing homes, understand that you are not alone. Help is just a call away. The moment you suspect negligence or abuse, the best thing you can do is to talk to knowledgeable counsel.

At Carabin Shaw, we treat all our clients like family. Our attorneys are here to help you investigate the options and determine your best course of action in a New Mexico nursing home negligence case. We want to stop the abuse and compensate your family for all damages accrued. One of our lawyers will even sit down with you before you choose legal representation to answer all your questions. During this appointment, we’ll listen to you and answer any questions you might have about filing a claim.

Contact a New Mexico lawyer from Carabin Shaw today for more information. For a free consultation, call us toll-free at 1-800-862-1260. You can also reach us at one of our West Texas offices by dialing 915-779-2301. A lawyer is waiting to hear from you.