For many, making the decision to place your loved one into a nursing home can be incredibly difficult. While you may not want to, you may not have the ability to provide the care they require. As such, you may take the time to thoroughly research your options and meet with representatives at different locations before deciding on one that you have found to be safe, clean, and compassionate. Unfortunately, however, nursing home neglect can still occur, so understanding the signs that your loved one may be a victim is critical. The following blog explores what you should know about these upsetting matters, including the importance of working with a New Jersey nursing home abuse lawyer to help you understand your legal options.
What Constitutes Nursing Home Neglect?
Though it can be unpleasant and upsetting to think about, nursing home neglect can and does happen. Under New Jersey law, this occurs when staff at a home fails to provide adequate care, which can lead to harm or the risk of harm. This is different from nursing home abuse, which occurs when someone intentionally harms a resident, whether it be physically, emotionally, or financially.
Examples of nursing home neglect include missed medications, untreated infections, soiled bedding, dehydration, malnutrition, and unresponsive staff.
Unfortunately, neglect is often the result of understaffing. This occurs when a nursing home operates at a capacity that does not allow nurses and other healthcare providers to provide adequate care to their residents. As such, employees may have too many tasks to handle properly, meaning they neglect other duties, subsequently harming patients and residents.
What Are Signs That a Loved One Is Suffering?
Recognizing the signs that your loved one may be the victim of nursing home neglect is critical to take prompt action to help protect them from further harm. As such, the common physical and emotional signs of abuse you should look for include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Unexplained injuries (bruises, cuts, broken bones)
- Weightloss
- Dehydration
- Poor hygiene
- Unsanitary rooms
- Soiled clothing or bedding
- Bedsores
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Fear of certain staff members
- Changes in mood
How Should I Proceed if I Discover Neglect?
If you have reason to believe your loved one is suffering from neglect in a New Jersey nursing home, it’s critical to understand your legal options. You should document all instances of suspected neglect, such as taking photos of the conditions your loved one has been living in and requesting copies of their care logs and medical records. If you believe they are in urgent danger, you should move them to a safe location.
Next, you should connect with an experienced attorney who can assist you in fighting for the justice your loved one deserves. A lawyer can help you contact the New Jersey Long-Term Care Ombudsman to report the neglect so an investigation may begin. They can also assist you in filing a lawsuit to help you seek compensation for damages your loved one has suffered while in the care of the home.
At the Law Office of Craig M. Rothenberg, we understand how difficult and overwhelming these matters can be to navigate. That is why our firm will do everything possible to help you fight for the justice and compensation your loved one deserves for the neglect they have endured. When you need help, contact us today.