There are a plethora of nursing homes in Pennsylvania, but not all of them offer the same level of quality. Nursing home neglect is a big issue that affects the well-being of elderly residents severely.
A Philadelphia nursing home neglect attorney can be of great help if someone thinks the nursing home neglected the needs of the residents, which makes it pretty important to look out for some common indicators that hint towards it.
- Physical Signs of Neglect
A pretty apparent and obvious sign of neglect is the physical condition of the person. If there are bruises, injuries, or cuts on the body, it indicates neglect or even hints at some abuse.
Another sign is bedsores, which are known as pressure ulcers. Such sores happen because of pressure on the skin for extensive periods and could have been prevented with merely proper care and regular repositioning. Look out for signs such as poor personal hygiene of the person, which indicates that the basic needs are neglected.
- Malnutrition and Dehydration
The body of a person is a clear testament to neglect. Suppose signs of malnutrition and dehydration are apparent, such as cracked lips, dry skin, sunken eyes, and loss of weight. In that case, it means the residents are not provided fluids and nutrition in adequate amounts, which can result in some pretty severe health complications such as increased probability of getting infections and immune system turning weak.
- Environmental Clues
Signs of neglect can be found by looking at the environment of the nursing home. If the place seems ill-maintained, which means the place has a foul odor and is consistently unclean or dirty, it indicates that the proper standards of care are not maintained.
If the bed or rooms that are the living space of a person are cluttered or not clean, it means the staff is neglecting essential duties. Such unsafe living conditions pose a significant risk to health.
- Behavioral Changes
Behavior changes say a lot about what a person is going through, and that can be a sign of neglect, too. If the person does not participate in social activities, shows signs of anxiety and depression, and has sudden mood swings, all of it can be a big sign of distress because of neglect.
Residents may seem scared around some particular members of staff, seem unusually quiet, show hesitation, or even refuse to talk about the experience at the nursing home, for which feelings of helplessness or fear of retaliation could be the possible reason.
Reach Out to a Nursing Home Neglect Attorney!
Suppose someone has noticed such signs at the nursing home. In that case, it is recommended to quickly contact a nursing home neglect attorney to protect the wellness, health, and legal rights of the elderly family member going through such misery and hardship.
