Reporting Nursing Home Neglect
Nursing Home Negligence Lawyer – Cleveland, Ohio
Reporting Nursing Home Neglect
Many of us have fond memories of our parents and grandparents, and some of us are lucky to still have parents and grandparents in our lives. Baking cookies in a sunny kitchen, hearing stories of what it was like when they were children, and just general love in our hearts when thinking of them. You cherish those special memories just as you cherish your loved one.
That’s what makes stories of nursing home neglect all the more heartbreaking. How could these skilled nursing facilities treat our loved ones with such cruelty? It’s absolutely outrageous and devastating when these actions are allowed to happen so frequently.
Some of the leading causes of nursing home neglect are lack of proper staff training, shortage of staff, and unqualified aids employed at the facility. Please understand that the abuse or neglect is never your fault, or the fault of your loved one.
When staff is not properly trained to manage the needs of the elderly, it can result in harm to your loved one. Nursing home administrators must ensure their personnel has the knowledge and training to keep your loved one safe. When a facility is short on work force, one person can be left to do the job of two or three. Sadly, this type of circumstance often leads to your loved one suffering from neglect. There may not be enough staff to monitor nursing home residents and keep them out of harm’s way. Also, an inherent risk occurs when aids are unqualified for their job. These shortcomings, when they occur, can be a lethal combination.
What Is Nursing Home Neglect?
Nursing home neglect is the failure of a nursing home facility and its staff to provide adequate care and attention to their residents. As we all know, far too many vulnerable elderly residents have experienced neglect. When someone you care about moves into a nursing home, there is an expectation and duty of care for their physical and mental health. Every nursing home resident should feel safe and comfortable. Family members should never have to worry about elder neglect or nursing home abuse.
If you are one of the far too many nursing home residents who have experienced abuse and neglect, or know of someone who has, you need to call me today. I am here to help you, and protect you from future mistreatment.
Forms of Neglect Nursing Home Residents May Experience
Physical neglect in nursing homes
Physical neglect in a nursing home occurs when residents do not receive proper care for their physical needs. These can include:
Nursing home residents receive inadequate nutrition and hydration, leading to malnutrition or dehydration.
Improper hygiene such as bathing and grooming. Infections, bedsores, and other skin problems may arise.
Not providing necessary assistance with mobility. Falling is a major health risk for many elderly residents. Falls can often result in hip fractures and other broken bones.
Physical neglect in a nursing home can have serious consequences. If your loved one has suffered physical harm, pain, or severe anxiety due to the neglect, I am here to help.
Emotional neglect in nursing homes
Failure to provide adequate emotional support and care for residents, resulting in feelings of isolation, loneliness, and abandonment is disheartening. Hearing stories of nursing home residents being ignored saddens me, as I know it does you. Please let me help if you or a loved one has experienced any of the circumstances noted below:
Ignoring or dismissing a nursing home residents’ requests for social interaction or emotional support.
An inadequate amount opportunities for residents to engage in social activities or participate in community events.
Isolating residents from family members and friends, including restricting visitation or phone calls.
Ignoring residents’ emotional needs or treating them with disrespect, leading to feelings of shame, humiliation, or worthlessness.
Emotional neglect can have serious consequences for residents, leading to depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. Nobody wants to learn that there loved one is feeling like this. Unfortunately, it’s too common and nursing home neglect cases are on the rise.
Medical neglect in nursing homes
The inability to provide adequate medical care for residents, leading to untreated medical conditions, worsening of existing conditions, or physical harm should never be tolerated. This is nursing home neglect! No matter the excuse, you need me as your nursing home abuse lawyer. Call me today if you have experienced:
Failure to provide necessary medication or administering the wrong medication to residents.
Failure to monitor or respond to changes in residents’ medical conditions.
Absence of necessary medical equipment or assistive devices for residents, such as hearing aids, wheelchairs, or oxygen tanks.
Deficient medical treatment or procedures, such as physical therapy, wound care, or surgery.
Meager mental health care or treatment for residents with psychiatric or cognitive disorders.
I am appalled when families speak to me about medical neglect their loved ones experience in nursing homes. I’m sickened to say it’s become all too commonplace. I have more than 40 years of experience making sure nursing home facilities pay dearly for harming my clients.
Personal hygiene nursing home neglect
Providing basic personal care for residents is essential. Bathing, grooming, and maintaining a clean living environment was probably discussed during your initial visit with the nursing home staff. Denying residents these basic necessities is unhealthy, inhumane, may be considered nursing home neglect. Hygiene neglect in a nursing home may include:
Failure to provide residents with clean clothing, bedding, or towels.
Lack of assistance with basic hygiene tasks, such as brushing teeth, washing hands, and clipping nails.
Inadequate bathing and showering facilities, or assisting residents with bathing and showering.
Failure to maintain a clean and sanitary living environment, including dirty floors, walls, and bathroom facilities.
Hygiene neglect in a nursing home can have serious consequences for residents. including skin infections, dental problems, and other health issues.
Clean living space nursing home neglect
Clean living space neglect in a nursing home refers to a failure to provide a safe and hygienic environment for residents. Having a clean living space should not be a concern. Instead, it should be a prerequisite for all assisted living facilities and nursing homes. Typical problems include:
Unsanitary living spaces, including dirty floors, walls, and bathroom facilities.
Disheveled common areas and shared facilities, such as dining areas and kitchens, are kept clean and free of hazards.
Failing to address maintenance and repair issues, such as broken equipment or malfunctioning heating or cooling systems, which can affect residents’ health.
Neglecting clean living spaces is detrimental to nursing home residents. Exposure to harmful viruses and bacteria can lead to compromised respiratory health and sickness. It can also contribute to feelings of helplessness and frustration among residents.
Safe living area nursing home neglect
A safe living environment for nursing home residents is a must. I know that I would not leave my loved one anywhere I felt there safety might be compromised. Nursing home staff members have an obligation to keep your loved one’s living area safe! Neglect can be seen as:
Poor supervision, leading to accidents and injuries, such as falls or burns.
Failure to ensure proper lighting and temperature, leading to discomfort and increased risk of illness.
Failure to remove safety hazards, such as broken furniture, loose flooring, or exposed electrical wiring, which can cause harm to residents.
An assisted living facility, or nursing home, should operate with care. Care for those living within the facility, and care for the facility itself. If you suspect your loved one has suffered neglect or abuse in a nursing home, you have to report the abuse and call me as soon as possible. I will make sure your loved one gets the care and compensation they richly deserve.
Signs Of Nursing Home Neglect
Nursing home neglect is a serious issue that can lead to physical and mental harm for elderly residents. The following are some of the signs of nursing home neglect:
Lack of personal hygiene
This can include dirty or soiled clothing, uncombed hair, and unwashed bodies. Poor hygiene can lead to bedsores and infections.
Malnutrition and dehydration
These can lead to weight loss, weakness, and other serious health problems. Signs of malnutrition and dehydration can include dry skin, sunken eyes, and a lack of energy.
Lack of medical attention
Neglecting to provide necessary medical care, such as not administering medication, can lead to serious complications or even death.
Isolation or lack of social interaction
This can lead to depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues.
Unsafe or unsanitary living conditions
This can include dirty or cluttered living spaces, unclean bedding, and inadequate heating or cooling. These conditions can lead to falls, infections, and other health issues.
Unexplained injuries
Bruises, cuts, or other injuries can be a sign of physical abuse or neglect.
You can report any signs of nursing home neglect to adult protective services. But first, call me, and let’s discuss the situation and put together a plan to get your loved one the care they need. Call me anytime, day or night.
Your Cleveland Nursing Home Negligence Lawyer
First and foremost, you need to ensure your loved one is safe and out of harm’s way. The next step is to call me right away. There is no out of pocket cost to you. The sooner you act, the better the outcome can be for your loved one. As your lawyer, I can do two key things for you. First, I’ll get you the maximum amount of financial compensation for the harm that your loved one endured. Secondly, I’ll work to change any policies that were in place that led to the neglect in the first place.
As your lawyer, I understand that it can be upsetting and scary to learn your loved one was neglected. If you ever want to talk about it, please feel free to call my personal cell phone number any time, day or night. I’ll also meet you any time, any place, to discuss your case with you. Furthermore, I’ll do all of this on a contingency basis, which means you won’t pay me a single penny to have me represent you.
I have served the greater Cleveland, Ohio, area for more than forty years and I’m ready to represent you. I take on Big Cases with Big Results, and I’ll face the nursing home facility head-on. If your loved one has suffered from neglect from a nursing home, I’ll work hard for you – and I’ll Make Them Pay!®