Examples of Neglect in Nursing Homes

Placing a loved one in a nursing home is never easy. We trust these facilities to provide the respect and care our family members deserve. Yet, neglect in nursing homes remains a troubling reality, often leading to severe physical and emotional harm for vulnerable residents. At The Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect Law Firm, PC, LLO, our mission is to protect seniors and all vulnerable residents from such harm, hold negligent facilities accountable and ensure our loved ones’ safety.

Recognizing the Signs of Neglect

Raising awareness around nursing home neglect is vital. By knowing what to watch for, we can detect early signs and intervene before a minor issue becomes life-threatening. Below, let’s discuss some common types of neglect that happen in nursing homes, along with real-life examples that highlight the impact of such mistreatment.

Types of Neglect in Nursing Homes

When understanding neglect in nursing homes, it’s essential to recognize that it can take several forms. Each type of neglect affects residents differently, yet all share one thing in common: they lead to unnecessary suffering and harm. One of the most fundamental areas where neglect occurs is meeting a resident’s basic needs. Let’s start by looking at what can happen when these essential requirements aren’t met.

Basic Needs Neglect

A nursing home should be a place where every resident’s basic needs are fully met. Unfortunately, many facilities fail to provide even the essentials:

Lack of Food and Water

Neglect in nutrition and hydration can lead to malnutrition and dehydration. Elderly residents often need help eating or drinking, and without assistance, they may go hungry or thirsty. Staff might overlook whether residents are actually eating, which can lead to rapid weight loss and frailty. Another significant cause of dehydration and malnutrition in nursing home residents is understaffing in facilities. When facilities cut staff levels to increase profits, residents suffer from a lack of assistance with basic needs. 

Poor Hygiene and Incontinence Care

Many residents need assistance with personal hygiene, such as bathing, grooming, and toileting. Neglect in this area leaves residents unclean, uncomfortable, and at risk of infections. A facility that doesn’t address incontinence properly may leave residents in soiled clothing, stripping them of their dignity and causing skin breakdown.  In extreme cases, residents can develop deadly bed sores.

Unsanitary Living Conditions

Living areas should be clean, with bedding changed regularly and rooms kept sanitary. Dirty rooms, foul smells, and soiled sheets are all signs that a facility isn’t maintaining a healthy environment for its residents.

Inadequate Clothing

Residents rely on staff to dress them appropriately. When residents are left in unsuitable clothing or denied proper seasonal attire, it shows a lack of care and can leave them uncomfortable or even at risk of hypothermia in colder months.

Medical Neglect

Residents in nursing homes often have complex medical needs. Failing to attend to these needs can lead to dangerous health consequences:

Missed Medications

Medication management is crucial, as some medications need precise timing. Missing doses or giving incorrect amounts can severely impact a resident’s health, especially for conditions like diabetes or heart disease.

Unattended Health Changes

If a resident’s condition worsens, it should be reported to their physician immediately. Ignoring changes, such as a new cough, swelling, or skin breakdown, can lead to more serious health complications and preventable suffering.

Failure to Treat Bedsores

Bedsores, or pressure ulcers, develop when someone is left in the same position for too long. These sores can cause immense pain and quickly turn into open wounds if left untreated. Regular repositioning is a standard preventive measure that neglectful facilities may fail to provide.

Lack of Necessary Medical Equipment

Mobility aids like walkers and wheelchairs are essential for many residents’ safety and independence. Without these, residents may suffer falls or become further isolated due to their restricted movement.

Social and Emotional Neglect

While physical health is important, emotional well-being is just as crucial for a good quality of life:

Isolation and Loneliness

Social activities and interactions keep residents mentally engaged and connected. When facilities fail to provide opportunities for socialization, residents can feel isolated and depressed, which significantly impacts their overall well-being.

Ignoring Emotional Needs

Caregivers should provide comfort and companionship to residents. Dismissing emotional distress or showing disregard for their feelings can create an environment of neglect and harm the resident’s mental health.

Verbal Abuse or Disrespect

In some cases, neglect extends to staff speaking harshly or belittling residents. This type of behavior can be emotionally damaging, making residents fearful or anxious around their caregivers.

Supervisory Neglect

Elderly residents often need assistance with tasks, and lack of supervision can lead to serious injuries:

Risk of Falls and Wandering

Without adequate supervision, residents may attempt to walk or move on their own, resulting in falls or, in severe cases, wandering away from the facility. These situations can be life-threatening, especially for residents with dementia.

Slow Response Times

Neglect can show up in delayed responses to residents’ calls for help. Whether it’s a call light that goes unanswered or an urgent request for assistance that is ignored, delayed help can lead to accidents or distress for residents who may be in pain or discomfort.

Improper Restraints

Some facilities may use physical restraints or unnecessary medication to control residents’ movements, which can be both physically and psychologically harmful.

Real-Life Examples of Nursing Home Neglect

Hearing real-life stories of neglect helps illustrate how serious the consequences can be. Here are some cases that highlight the real impact of nursing home neglect:

Missed Insulin Leads to Crisis

In one case, a resident with diabetes suffered dangerously low blood sugar because of missed insulin doses. Missing such vital care can quickly become life-threatening, especially for elderly residents who cannot advocate for themselves.

Severe Bedsores Due to Immobility

A resident confined to bed developed deep, painful bedsores after being left in the same position for hours on end. These sores became infected, causing intense suffering and leading to other health complications. This tragic outcome could have been prevented with basic attention and care.

Malnutrition and Dehydration

Another resident experienced severe weight loss and dehydration when staff failed to ensure they were eating and drinking enough. Neglecting to provide proper nutrition and hydration left them weak, frail, and vulnerable to infections.

Resident Wandering Off-Site

An elderly resident with dementia managed to leave the facility unsupervised, putting them in harm’s way. Without the proper safety measures and supervision, residents like this one are at extreme risk.

Resident Choking

A resident who needed her food cut up and assistance with eating, failed to receive help and choked to death.

What to Do If You Suspect Neglect

If you notice any of these warning signs, don’t ignore them. Start by documenting the issues. Take photos, record dates, and keep notes. Then, bring your concerns to the nursing home administrator. If you see no improvement, contact the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. And, for legal assistance, speak to an attorney at The Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect Law Firm, PC, LLO.If you suspect a loved one is suffering from neglect in a Nebraska nursing home, please reach out at 402-933-0588. The Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect Law Firm, powered by Reed Law Office, PC, LLO, is here to help.