Maryland nursing home residents require constant care. However, staffing shortages and undertrained employees make these patients vulnerable to elder or dependent adult neglect. Most nursing care facilities employ highly trained nurses, yet patient neglect persists. Negligence occurs when a patient or resident remains vulnerable to injuries such as falls, pressure sores or urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Often elder or dependent adult neglect results from overwhelmed caregivers who don’t get the proper respite. Other times, sheer negligence comes from caregivers intentionally withholding the patient’s medication, nutrition and exercise.
Psychological neglect results from loneliness and abandonment. Self-neglect happens when the elder no longer cares for themselves and allows sickness and disease to fester. Nursing home residents suffer from neglect when they’re left to fend for themselves.
Signs of elder or dependent adult neglect
Some nursing home residents are ambulatory and can manage their daily activities independently. These residents might require adult supervision to prevent injury to themselves or others. Although they can function without support, they still become victims of nursing home neglect. Some signs of neglect are:
• Soiled clothing
• Unexplained illness
• Extreme nervousness or irritability
• Combativeness or fearful
• Unexplained bruises or sores
Elderly patients and adult residents don’t often complain about neglect or abuse. However, a watchful eye and a support system such as family, friends or nursing home staff is the best way to deter neglect.
Common injuries in adult care facilities
Neglect, the continued denial of adequate care, is to blame for several nursing home injuries. Many slips and falls occur in nursing homes resulting in traumatic injuries and death. Elderly patients older than 65 will most likely suffer slip and fall injuries.
Other common nursing home injuries include malnutrition, pressure ulcers, concussions and physical assault traumas. So if your loved one is behaving unusually, it’s a signal worth noting.
