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Nursing home negligence: Be alert for these signs

On Behalf of | Jul 31, 2020 | Nursing Home Neglect

You may be one of many Georgia residents who is caring for an aging parent. When you think back on your childhood, it’s no doubt hard to imagine that so much time has passed so swiftly. The same parent who seemed bigger than life or could get you to do something just by flashing you a look in public is now unable to take care of his or her own daily needs.

You want to be there for your loved one, but you also realize that he or she needs specialized care that you are unable to provide on a daily basis. How can you tell a high-quality nursing home from one where your loved one may be at risk for nursing home negligence or abuse? It’s emotionally difficult to entrust your loved one’s care to licensed professionals, which is why building a strong support network from the start is helpful.

Suspect nursing home negligence is you notice these signs

It‘s not uncommon for elderly people to be set in their ways, which can make for a challenging experience in providing their care. Maybe your parent has particular food aversions or likes his or her hair combed a certain way. As people age, they can be cranky or moody, especially when they‘ve had to give up independence and rely on others for their needs.

There is a big difference between moodiness and signs of nursing home negligence, however. You can help your loved one stay safe by learning to recognize issues that suggest that your parent is receiving substandard care or is suffering abuse. The following list includes issues that warrant investigation:

  • If your parent seems agitated or afraid when a particular caregiver enters the room, it is cause for concern. While it may be merely a personality clash, it could also be a sign of negligence or abuse.
  • When you last visited your loved one, did he or she have a bruise, laceration or lump on his or her body? If the explanation you receive does not seem logical, ask more questions.
  • If your mother or father is always thirsty or hungry, it may be a sign of neglect. It can also be a sign of an underlying health issue, but it’s best to investigate to rule out negligence.
  • You may notice foul odors occasionally when you visit a nursing home, but if your parent’s residence appears dirty and foul-smelling on more than one visit, it is worth looking into to make sure he or she is receiving quality care.
  • Was your parent mobile when he or she began staying at a Georgia nursing home but has since become immobile? It is imperative that you find out why in case it is due substandard care.

These are not the only signs that suggest your loved one may be suffering from nursing home negligence or abuse. Any issue that makes you wonder is an issue worth discussing with administrators. It’s always best to investigate and to rule out trouble than not to pursue answers to your questions and overlook a serious problem in the process.

Your loved one’s safety and well-being is your top priority, and it is supposed to be the nursing home’s top priority as well. If it’s not, you can do something about it.

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