There have been countless incidents of nursing home abuse and neglect, but it is important to know that help is available. Before placing a loved one in a facility, it is important to know the warning signs of a bad nursing home.

About Nursing Home Abuse

There have been countless incidents of nursing home abuse and neglect, but it is important to know that help is available. Most of the time getting justice happens from making a claim against nursing home abuse. If someone you love has been abused or neglected in a nursing home, you have every right to file a lawsuit and sue for damages. Here are some reasons why you should.
Placing an elderly loved one in a nursing home or assisted living facility can be a heart-wrenching decision. Millions of families each year have to consider placing a parent or grandparent in a facility where their medical needs and day-to-day living needs can be met. We would like to think that the people with whom we entrust their care will provide the same standard of care we gave, but, sadly, that is often not the case. In fact, nursing home abuse and neglect are becoming an epidemic in the United States, and what is taking place in these homes is despicable.

Bad Nursing Home Danger Signs

There are a few warning signs of a bad nursing home.

• Odors: A strong smell of urine and feces indicates a shortage of staff to help residents to the bathroom or to keep residents and the facility clean. Ask about the size of the facility (number of beds) and ensure that there is enough staff for each bed.
• Lack of privacy: Ensure that residents aren’t naked or partly undressed in rooms or hallways. This is especially true in view of guests or other residents. Also, staff should knock before entering rooms.
• Lack of dignity: Staf or admins should not speak to residents disrespectfully.
• Health Inspection Violations: Many online sites will list the number of citations a facility has received.
• Lack of Family Council: Many nursing homes will have voluntary organizations to help communicate concerns to facility administrators and advocate for patients’ needs.
• Unanswered calls for help: Call bells or cries for help need to be attended to promptly.
• Loneliness and inactivity: Residents shouldn’t be stuck in front of a TV all day. There should be lots of activities for residents.
• Lack of help with eating: If a resident cannot feed him or herself, staff should help. If you see trays full of untouched food, this is a bad nursing home danger sign.
• Restraints: The government no longer allows restraints in nursing homes. So, if you see them, be aware. Also, keep an eye out for vests and other devices that tie or otherwise hold people down in their beds and wheelchairs. These are dangerous and humiliating. Good nursing homes seek safe and respectful ways to protect residents from falls and wandering.

Get Justice Now

If you suspect abuse or neglect, do not accept denials. Instead, contact a knowledgeable lawyer experienced with representing victims. When an abuser injures a resident at a care facility, it is not always obvious what happened and legal liability.  The evidence available is often incomplete and may be self-serving for the defendant – the nursing home. This is why a free consultation with us is so important. We have been assisting the injured for 20 years. We help clients from all over the country. Our consultations are completely free. Call today.