Those who entrust the care of family members to care facilities may expect their loved ones to receive an acceptable level of treatment, but this might not always be the case in every situation. The presence of neglect remains a prevalent concern for many nursing home residents and similar issues can take a significant toll on a patient’s health. Individuals in Illinois who wish to shield the well-being of their loved ones might benefit from knowing some red flags of nursing home neglect and the next steps to take when facing such unjust treatment.
10 Most Common Red flags
- Lack of proper personal hygiene
- Soiled bedclothes
- bedsores
- Having unexplained injuries
- Failing to take medications properly
- Signs of restraint, such as rope marks on the elder’s wrist
- Broken eyeglasses
- The refusal of the caregiver to let you be alone with the elderly person
- Rocking, mumbling or thumb-sucking behavior
- Stained, bloody or torn underwear
According to studies, one of the most common red flags of nursing home neglect may pertain to a lack of proper hygiene. Those who reside in care facilities might not be capable of caring for themselves and if staff members fail to provide them with the necessary care, signs of poor hygiene may arise. Such unjust treatment could also cause nursing home residents to go without aid in performing any type of physical activity, which can also pose a threat to their health.
Patients who are neglected or abused may also struggle with injuries that seem difficult to explain and watching for such concerns could prove imperative. Issues such as lack of hydration and nutrition can also prove exceedingly harmful to one’s health and watching for similar signs may be vital to detecting the presence of neglect. Studies also indicate that patients who encounter neglect may appear to be increasingly confused or agitated.
The next steps
Those who feel that their family members have been subjected to nursing home neglect may wish to know more about the next steps to take to confront the matter at hand. When facing such issues, a person in Illinois might find it helpful to retain the services of an attorney for assistance in navigating this process. An attorney can help a client prepare to take the necessary steps to protect against such treatment and assist in pursuing any compensation to which his or her loved one may be entitled to receive via a claim against the responsible parties.
