presented by: Gary Massey
Neglect is a form of abuse, pure and simple. However, it is an insidious one because it is often harder to spot than bruises or broken bones, and the people being neglected are typically part of an already vulnerable population who cannot easily advocate for themselves. One segment of our population that is particularly at risk is the elderly living in nursing home and long-term care facilities. Although many nursing homes and facilities are up to the task of kindly and effectively caring for their residents, there are tragically those that are not. Instead, they ignore the most defenseless of their residents, leading to injuries, isolation, and even, in the most extreme cases, death.
Nursing home neglect usually falls into the following general categories:
Neglect of basic needs such as failing to provide adequate food, a safe environment, and assistance with personal hygiene
Neglect of emotional needs such as failing to provide engaging, appropriate social activities
Neglect of medical needs such as failing to attend to injuries promptly and dispense proper medication on time
Any of these situations can cause serious and at times irreversible harm to the elderly man or woman who is being overlooked. If you have a loved one in a nursing home and suspect that any of these things is occurring, it is imperative that you investigate further and, if necessary, call in an experienced nursing home abuse attorney to help.
It can be very difficult to determine whether neglect is the cause of a family member’s decline because it doesn’t always leave physical marks. But certain signs do show themselves eventually. If your loved one appears malnourished or dehydrated, if a sudden weight loss occurs, if bed sores are present, if he or she is suddenly withdrawn, if his or her self-care routine seems to be undone, it is possible that staff neglect is at the root of the problem.
Sadly, there are no foolproof ways to counter nursing home neglect before you realize it is happening. But it is a crime, and you may have a case if your loved one has been neglected while in the care of a nursing home or long-term care facility. If you think the level of care is not what it should be, look into getting help from an experienced attorney to investigate further.
In the meantime, be sure to thoroughly research any nursing home your loved one may move into. Interact with the staff at the home on a regular basis, and talk to your loved one’s physicians frequently for updates on his or her condition. In addition, make surprise visits to the home as often as is possible to see how it is run when they aren’t expecting visitors. Hopefully all of these steps will keep your family member safe and happy for years to come.
Gary Massey, Jr., is a well-known courtroom advocate practicing law in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Gary is a native of Tennessee who began practicing law in 1998. He graduated from Cumberland School of Law where he was ranked in the top 3% of his class and was an editor of the Cumberland Law Review.
