Moving a relative into a nursing home can be a difficult decision. When a loved one requires extra care, a nursing home often seems like the best option. Unfortunately, the elderly and vulnerable are often victims of abuse and neglect in these facilities.

Nursing home abuse and neglect effects a staggering ten percent of all people in nursing homes, and occurs at one in every three facilities. Nursing home neglect occurs when an employee does not provide the level of care a patient needs and therefore, causes harm or injury to the patient.

The four most common types of nursing home neglect are:

• Emotional or social neglect- when the patient is ignored, left alone, or yelled at
• Personal hygiene neglect- when help with personal hygiene like bathing, cleaning, and laundry is not given
• Basic needs neglect- when adequate food and water are not provided
• Medical neglect- when proper attention to current medical conditions and prevention of new medical conditions is not provided

Inadequate staffing and lack of individualized care is often the cause of neglect. Patients residing in negligent nursing homes have an increased risk of diseases, infections, injuries, and even death. It can be difficult to know if a loved one is being neglected in a care facility. Some signs of neglect like bed sores and malnutrition are easily identifiable, however others can be less obvious. It is important to be aware of the warning signs of nursing home neglect to ensure a loved one’s safety.

Common warning signs include:

• Unusual changes in behavior
• Poor personal hygiene
• Sudden weight loss
• Malnutrition
• Dehydration
• Unsanitary or hazardous living conditions
• Unexplained injuries

If you or your loved one is a victim of nursing home abuse or neglect, you should immediately report any incident that occurs to the authorities. It is also important to document injuries and any suspicious practices that take place in the nursing home. A victim of nursing home neglect or their loved ones has a right to file a lawsuit to hold the nursing home responsible for injuries and emotional abuse sustained.

If you or a loved one has been a victim of nursing home abuse or neglect, call our Long Island office at (631) 543-3663 for a free consultation. At the Law Offices of Rudolph F.X. Migliore, we are with you every step of the way to guide you through this often upsetting and difficult process. When it comes to your case, we are your point of contact.