How to Prevent Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect

Nursing home abuse and neglect is one of the most emotionally painful areas of personal injury law. After all, we turn to nursing homes to provide our aging loved ones with the care and help they need to lead full lives, and any form of abuse or neglect is a direct betrayal of that trust. If your loved one has been injured by nursing home abuse or neglect, it’s time to consult with an experienced Forsyth County nursing home abuse and neglect attorney.

Know the Warning Signs

One of the most important things you can do to help prevent nursing home abuse and neglect is to know the warning signs and to be on the lookout for them, including:

  • If your loved one exhibits a change in personality, mood, or general temperament – including unexplained emotional liability, self-isolation, skittishness, despondency, increased anxiety, signs of depression, or anything else that catches your attention – it might be in reaction to burgeoning abuse or neglect.
  • If your loved one appears fearful around a member of the facility’s staff or administration, take note.
  • If your loved one exhibits an unexplained, sudden change in appearance – including weight loss, an unkempt appearance, a decline in personal hygiene, signs of malnutrition or dehydration – take the matter very seriously.

You know your loved one better than anyone in the facility does, so trust your gut on this matter, and if you see anything that concerns you, take action. When it comes to your aging relative’s health and well-being, you’re well-advised to always err on the side of caution.

Monitor the Facility

There are also specific warning signs that the facility itself may exhibit and attuning yourself to these may help you get to the root of the problem. These warning signs can include:

  • The facility appears to be understaffed.
  • The schedule at the facility has broken down.
  • It is difficult to get the staff and/or administrators on the phone (or to schedule a meeting).
  • The facility appears disorganized.
  • The facility’s safety protocols appear lax.
  • The facility is becoming run down.
  • One or more of the staff or administrators seems to frighten one or more of the residents.

A well-run facility should appear organized, should have a reasonable schedule that it sticks to, and should be designed to accommodate the unique needs of its residents. If this does not appear to be the case, take action.

Be a Frequent Visitor

By visiting your loved one frequently in the nursing home, you not only continue to deepen your bond with him or her but also help to keep the facility accountable. Nursing homes are busy enterprises, and once abuse or neglect seeps in, it can be difficult to detect and root out. As a visitor with fresh eyes, you can help ensure that the facility where your loved one lives doesn’t fall prey to this trap.

Consult with an Experienced Cumming Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Attorney Today

The dedicated nursing home abuse and neglect attorneys at Banks, Stubbs & McFarland – serving both Forsyth County and Cumming – have the compassion and commitment to help, so please don’t hesitate to contact us online or call us at 770-887-1209 today.