Signs that your older loved one is experiencing nursing home neglect

If you suspect your elderly parent is experiencing neglect at their assisted living facility, you should consult a Round Lake nursing home neglect attorney. Getting to this point can be difficult in and of itself because your older loved one is unlikely to openly tell you that he or she is being neglected. It will be up to you to determine if neglect is occurring by recognizing some common signs. Here are some things to consider to determine if your loved one is being neglected by facility staff.

observe the staff

Sometimes you can get a better idea of ​​the quality of care your loved one is receiving by observing the nursing home staff. Are they going about their business casually or do they seem rushed and frustrated? By law, each nursing home must maintain one staff member for every 20 residents during the day and one staff member for every 25 residents at night. If the facility is understaffed, they will be overworked and highly stressed. An understaffed facility will compromise the quality of care for each resident.

Pay attention to the living space of your elderly parents

When you visit your elderly parent, you should discreetly observe the state of his home. Make sure hot and cold water works well. Check the lights to make sure they work properly. Watch for peeling wallpaper, broken windows, or other signs of poor maintenance and upkeep. If the facility does not ensure that each apartment is kept in good condition, it is probably failing in other areas of caring for its residents. You should also ask your parents how often the staff visits your home to find out if they are fulfilling their obligations to care for your parents.

Observe your father’s condition

Another strong indication of neglect is the physical condition of your elderly loved one. In particular, try to determine if your older loved one has lost a significant amount of weight between your visits. This may indicate that they are not getting all of their meals. You also need to make sure they are drinking enough water, which is another responsibility of the facility staff. Signs of dehydration include fatigue, dry mouth, dark yellow urine, and dizziness. You may also see dark circles around the eyes.

Poor hygiene

You should also contact a Round Lake nursing home neglect attorney if your elderly parent appears to have hygiene issues. If you rely on the staff to help you bathe, wash your hair, and get dressed, you may notice that her parent has developed a strong body odor or wears the same clothes repeatedly without washing them. His oral hygiene habits may also suffer as a result of neglect.

Even if your older loved one can perform these tasks on their own, poor hygiene may be a sign of neglect in that your parent has become depressed as a result of other types of neglect. When they feel neglected by staff, they may no longer care about following proper hygiene practices. If you notice poor hygiene, look for other signs that your loved one is suffering from neglect.