Elderly residents in nursing homes often rely on staff for assistance with daily tasks like bathing, dressing and toileting, which although basic, are crucial in preventing infections, skin breakdown and other health problems. These residents, with weakened immune systems, are especially vulnerable.
The Nursing Home Care Act requires facilities to provide residents with a dignified living environment, which includes maintaining proper hygiene. Unfortunately, neglect can occur, and one of the warning signs is poor hygiene.
Signs of neglect based on poor hygiene
Signs that might indicate hygiene neglect in a nursing home can include:
- Unbathed or unwashed residents with an unpleasant body odor
- Dirty clothes or bedding
- Untreated skin conditions like rashes or bedsores
- Dehydration or malnutrition (often linked to difficulty eating or drinking due to poor hygiene)
Sometimes, these signs may not be apparent. Regular family visits can help identify whether these issues are occasional lapses in hygiene may occur or a persistent problem that requires legal recourse against the facility.
Protecting your loved one’s well-being
If you suspect a loved one is experiencing neglect due to poor hygiene, bring your concerns directly to the nursing home administrator or social worker. Ensure you document everything, including dates and times of observations.
The nursing home may be able to explain why such a condition occurs to your loved one. Reasons could include understaffing, a lack of implemented policies and procedures and high staff turnover rates. Whatever the case, nursing home facilities must deliver the best care possible, and if they fail to do so, you and your loved one can legally seek answers and relief.
