Nursing Home Neglect

Nursing homes serve as essential caregivers for elderly individuals who require assistance with daily activities and medical needs. While many of these facilities provide compassionate care and support, instances of neglect can occur, posing significant risks to the health and well-being of residents.

Let’s explore the issue of nursing home neglect, including its causes, signs, and steps that families and caregivers can take to prevent and address it effectively.

Understanding Types of Neglect That Happens in Nursing Homes

Per this article published by the National Library of Medicine, the definition of neglect is “the refusal or failure of a caregiver to fulfill his or her obligations or duties to an older person, including …. providing any food, clothing, medicine, shelter, supervision, and medical care and services that a prudent person would deem essential for the well-being of another.”

Neglectful treatment can take various forms, including:

• Physical neglect: Such as lack of assistance with personal hygiene or mobility, negligence leading to dehydration or malnutrition, or a lack of supervision as in the case of resident elopement, especially in the increased risk for wandering in Alzheimer’s patients.
• Emotional neglect: Such as ignoring residents’ emotional needs or isolating them from social interactions.

• Medical neglect: Including failure to administer medications or provide necessary medical treatments, medication errors, or insulin errors for diabetic patients.

Causes of Neglectful Behaviors

Several factors can contribute to the occurrence of neglect in nursing homes. These may include understaffing, inadequate training or supervision of staff members, budget constraints, and lack of regulatory oversight.

High staff turnover rates and burnout can also impact the quality of care provided to residents.

Additionally, factors such as poor management practices, insufficient resources, and systemic issues within the healthcare system can further exacerbate the risk factors for nursing home neglect.

Preventing Nursing Home Neglect

Reducing or doing away with nursing home neglect requires a collaborative effort from all stakeholders involved in elder care. Nursing home administrators should prioritize adequate staffing levels, provide ongoing training and support for staff members, and implement robust quality assurance measures to ensure the safety and well-being of residents.

Families and caregivers can be proactive by visiting their loved ones regularly, communicating openly with staff members, and advocating for their rights and needs.

In cases where neglectful treatment has occurred, it’s crucial to take swift and decisive action to address the issue and prevent further harm to residents. This may involve reporting that ill-treatment to the appropriate regulatory agencies, seeking legal assistance, and moving the resident to a safer environment if necessary.

Additionally, nursing homes must conduct thorough internal investigations, implement corrective actions, and provide support and resources to affected residents and their families.

Recognizing the signs of neglect in a nursing home is essential for identifying and addressing potential issues promptly. Family members and caregivers should remain vigilant and proactive in monitoring their loved one’s well-being, and any concerns or suspicions a person is being neglected should be reported and investigated promptly by the appropriate authorities.

Nursing home neglect is a serious concern that demands attention and action from all parties involved in elder care.

By understanding the causes and signs of this, implementing preventive measures, and taking prompt action to address issues as they arise, we can work together to ensure the safety and well-being of nursing home residents.

Together, we can create a culture of accountability and compassion within elder care facilities, where residents are treated with the respect and quality of care they deserve.

You can learn more about how you can help your loved one by contacting us by phone or through our convenient online form.