Emily Sortor  |  July 13, 2019

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Overview of Nursing Home Neglect

Nursing home neglect occurs when a resident at a nursing home is not receiving the proper care they need. This problem most commonly affects seniors who require assistance to live and stay healthy.

Nursing home neglect is a form of abuse, and can threaten the lives and health of the people who live in nursing homes. Unfortunately, those people who are already the most vulnerable are often at highest risk for nursing home neglect. A 2009 study reported that around 50 percent of people with dementia had been abused in some way. 

A Legal Issue?

Unfortunately, as many as five million Americans over the age of 60 are neglected, abused, or exploited. Reports indicate that as many as one in every three nursing homes in the United States have had reported instances of problems related to nursing home neglect.

Though nursing home neglect is common, it can be hard to identify, because the person being neglected may not be able to communicate to others that they are not receiving the care that they need.

In fact, 84 percent of cases of nursing home neglect may go unreported each year.

The responsibility may fall to family members to look out for signs of nursing home neglect in loved ones. Symptoms that may indicate nursing home neglect include:

  • bed or pressure sores
  • loss of mobility
  • physical problems because of poor nutrition
  • poor personal hygiene
  • psychological problems
  • unexplained injuries, including broken bones, abrasions, or bruises
  • unusual weight loss
  • unsanitary living conditions in the nursing home

Additionally, there may be non health-related sings of nursing home to watch out for, including:

  • strained or tense relationships between the resident and the staff
  • frequent arguments between the resident and the staff

Sometimes, nursing home neglect occurs when a nursing home is understaffed, and there are not enough staff members to provide adequate care to all residences.

In some cases, nursing homes may fail to provide all prescribed medications to patients. This is sometimes done accidentally, perhaps because the home is disorganized or understaffed. However, sometimes this kind of nursing home neglect may occur because the nursing home is trying to cut costs by not giving patients the necessary medication.

Reportedly, 90 percent of US nursing homes have staffing levels that are inadequate to car for their residents.

Lawsuits filed? Settlements reached?

Patients and their families have filed lawsuits against nursing homes as a way to hold facilities accountable for mistreatment of residents. Additionally, plaintiffs who file successful lawsuits against nursing homes have been able to receive compensation for injuries suffered as a result of nursing home neglect.

In some cases, states have also filed lawsuits against nursing homes, or have investigated malpractice and neglect.

In one recent case reported on by WAFB 9, the Louisiana Department of Health launched an investigation into a Louisiana nursing home that was allegedly “not in substantial compliance” with requirements. The state had determined that the home did not have sufficient policies in place to protect residents, and were disorganized and negligent in keeping records about patient care. 

One thought on What Is Nursing Home Neglect?

  1. Anwar T Hal says:

    My father recently died at Sinai Post-Acute, Nursing & Rehab Center in Newark NJ last month and he suffered bed or pressure sores
    loss of mobility
    physical problems because of poor nutrition
    poor personal hygiene
    psychological problems
    unexplained injuries, strained or tense relationships between the resident and the staff they moved him around frequently. unfortunately he past last month he suddenly had trouble breathing and I felt they could have done more to prevent this or provide better care I don’t know what the cause of his death was or how it could have been prevented but I’ve been suspicious ever since.

    he had no life insurance, time is oldest son I had him cremated but I have no answers.

    any help would be greatly appreciated.
    Anwar

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