People generally move into nursing homes because they cannot live independently anymore. The employees at nursing homes may administer medications so that residents don’t forget a dose. They can help with food preparation and daily tasks like dressing and showering. They maintain the facilities in addition to providing support for individual residents.
The people living in nursing homes don’t have to worry about daily chores or what to make for lunch. Residents or their family members pay thousands of dollars monthly in many cases for the support provided by a nursing home. Despite the major costs, neglect is a common issue at modern nursing homes. Workers may not adequately meet the needs of all residents. The neglect people experience in nursing homes can lead to illness or increase their risk of injury.
How can family members inspecting nursing homes or visiting a loved one identify facilities where the risk of neglect may be higher than usual?
Look at spaces used by residents
Entrance ways and other public-facing areas, like social rooms, may receive the most maintenance attention from staff. To get a good idea of the daily standard of living at a facility, it is necessary to look at less public spaces. Individual resident rooms and areas frequented by residents but not their guests may not be as clean and well-maintained as the areas where visitors typically congregate. That can be a warning sign of staff members having more responsibilities than time to fulfill them. Consistent understaffing often contributes to nursing home neglect.
Listen to resident complaints
People often dismiss the grievances expressed by nursing home residents. They may believe the complaints are untrue or at least exaggerated. However, even in cases involving exaggeration, there may be a grain of truth behind the complaint. If a loved one or a stranger complains about mistreatment, sitting for hours without help, unclean spaces or other significant grievances, it may be worth looking into those complaints carefully.
Watch for changes in a loved one’s behavior
Nursing home neglect doesn’t always lead to outright complaints. People experiencing neglect may slump into a depressive state, believing no one cares about the misery they endure. If a loved one becomes withdrawn, if their personality changes or if staff members never leave them alone when visitors come, those can all be warning signs of something unsavory happening at the facility.
Residents at nursing homes and their family members should be able to count on regular support for routine needs and timely assistance for unexpected support requirements. Neglect at nursing homes can lead to preventable illnesses and injuries. It can also do real damage to the quality of life of vulnerable older adults. Watching carefully for signs of nursing home neglect can help family members advocate for those in need of support at an assisted living facility.