More than a million people nationwide reside in nursing homes or assisted living facilities. As the population of people over the age of 65 increases, so will the number of individuals who will live in a nursing home at some point in their lives. We expect nursing homes to provide the type of care that our loved one requires. When we choose a facility, we believe that it will be clean, well-run, and safe. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. All too often, nursing home residents are injured due to neglect.
What is Nursing Home Neglect?
Nursing home neglect is a type of abuse that occurs due to negligence. Nursing home neglect happens when a resident suffers some kind of harm because of someone’s actions or failure to act. Neglect means that someone likely failed to perform their job. In a nursing home or care facility, neglect can occur when there is a lack of resident supervision or when the provider provides improper care. There are various forms of neglect.
Some signs of possible nursing home neglect include:
- Broken bones
- Bedsores
- Bruises
- Infections
- Poor Hygiene
- Change in behavior
- Weight loss
- Becoming withdrawn
- Fear of staff members
Improper care can cause a resident to have problems handling their daily tasks, such as toileting, bathing, and eating. A resident could suffer a fall when help is not available to assist in walking or transferring to a wheelchair. Bedsores, also called pressure ulcers, happen when a bedridden person is not regularly repositioned. Unsanitary conditions could result in illnesses or infections.
What Causes Nursing Home Neglect?
There are various reasons why nursing home neglect occurs. Understaffing is a common problem that nursing facilities face. When there aren’t enough staff members to care for residents, neglect is more likely to occur. Poorly trained staff may also contribute to or cause neglect. If caregivers are not properly trained, they may not be able to adequately care for residents, which can cause accidents or injuries. Inadequate management could also lead to the mishandling of residents. The lack of policies and procedures makes it easier for mistakes to happen. Poor building maintenance or lack of cleanliness can cause illnesses to spread or infections to occur. Residents often have special needs, and if caregivers don’t do a good job, it could cause illness or injury.
Rights of North Carolina Nursing Home Residents
North Carolina law protects nursing home residents with a bill of rights. The Bill of Rights states that all residents are to be treated with respect, consideration, and dignity and have a right to privacy. They have the right to receive care and services that are adequate, appropriate, and in compliance with all local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations. The facility must be free of mental and physical abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Physical or chemical restraints are to be used only when authorized by a physician for a specific period of time. There are additional rights that residents should know about. The facility must provide residents with a written statement of services and charges upon admission.
If your loved one is the victim of possible nursing home neglect, report the situation to the manager and to the authorities. Consult with our knowledgeable attorneys to learn your rights and options to resolve the situation and seek compensation. Call us today at Arnold & Smith, PLLC, at (704) 370-2828 to request a consultation.
The skilled personal injury attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC are dedicated to maximizing the financial recovery and obtaining justice for every personal injury client injured by another party’s negligence. The issues our personal injury clients may be facing include, but are not limited to, slip and fall injuries, wrongful death, product liability, catastrophic injuries, dog bite claims, car and truck accident injuries, motorcycle injuries, traumatic brain injury (TBI), nursing home negligence, spinal cord injury, boating accidents, and defective medical device injury. Our personal injury attorneys understand the devastating impact such an injury can have on a person’s life, and that the effects so often go beyond physical pain and suffering. The personal injury attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC are dedicated to helping clients determine the strength of their claims, and to aggressively pursuing the means necessary to achieve the best possible end result for each client’s particular situation.
Source:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bed-sores/symptoms-causes/syc-20355893
https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/aging/long-term-care-ombudsman/residents-rights
Image Credit:
https://www.freeimages.com/photo/nurse-helping-woman-with-walker-1900523
See Our Related Video from our YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/user/ArnoldSmithPLLC/videos
See Our Related Blog Posts:
What is Nursing Home Neglect?