Arranging for your elderly loved one to stay in a nursing home is often an act of kindness and protection against possible health complications or struggles. However, when you notice signs that the staff members are not responding properly to your family member, you may worry.
Noticing these subtle tells that point to nursing home neglect is important when you want to protect them.
Lack of proper nutrition and meals
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, neglect happens when a staff member fails to meet the needs of an older person. This can range from anything related to not getting them proper food to not giving them cups of water regularly. You could hear your loved one’s stomach making noises or see them complaining about a dry mouth.
Unclean clothes or bedding
When you notice stains or rips on your loved one’s bedsheets, it could indicate the staff has not washed the sheets in a long time. You may even see holes and food stains on the clothing they often wear. Having nursing home residents sit in unwashed or dirty clothes for long periods of time can potentially cause health and skin issues.
Worry when talking to staff
If your elderly loved one hesitates to ask questions to the staff or even flat out refuses to talk to them, it may be a sign of something worse than shyness. Neglect can make older adults fear talking to staff in case they retaliate by ignoring or denying them basic needs.
No matter what you notice when you visit your loved one, taking notes and thinking about the signs of nursing home neglect can help you.
