6 Signs Your Parents Is a Victim of Nursing Home Neglect

Call it elder abuse, nursing home neglect, or resident abuse. By any name, mistreatment of elderly patients in care facilities is alarmingly common. In 2007 alone, there were more than 257,000 complaints of inadequate care made to the Administration of Aging. Many other cases of abuse and neglect go unreported.

If you have a parent in a nursing home or similar care facility, make sure you keep a close eye out for signs of neglect. The following are six common signs that your parent may be a victim of nursing home negligence.

There are many reasons why an older person may lose weight. The weight loss may be due to an illness or stress, but it can also be a sign of neglect.

If there is no obvious medical explanation for your parent's weight loss, the staff may not be providing adequate meals, or they may not be giving your parent his or her medications properly. Many nursing homes are understaffed, so there may not be enough aids to make sure your parent eats the food that they are served.

Signs your parent has lost a lot of weight include loose clothing, dentures that no longer fit, increased weakness, and hair loss.

When a nursing home is under-staffed, there may not be staff members around to make sure your parent drinks enough fluids. The staff may not be providing enough fluids, either. Dehydration is a serious problem, especially in the elderly, since it can lead to kidney failure, low blood pressure, and a range of other medical problems.

If your parent has a dry and sticky mouth, frequently complains of thirst, drinks excessively when you bring them fluids, or has very dry, paper-like skin, they may be suffering from chronic dehydration.

Victims of neglect and abuse often experience noticeable changes in behavior as the neglect worsens. Your parent may no longer express their emotions. They may become increasingly isolated, preferring to spend time alone in their room rather than out interacting with other residents.

Some patients may become bitter and angry towards staff members and their family as a result of poorly managed medications, a nutrient-deficient diet, or dehydration.

If you frequently visit your parent and find that they have developed an injury or illness - and the staff did not notify you of that injury or illness - this is not a good sign. If you are listed as your parent's primary contact, the nursing home should let you know whenever they become ill or injure themselves. Failure to report the illness may suggest the illness is due to neglect or abuse.

If you suspect your parent is a victim of nursing home neglect, make plans to move them to a different nursing facility, and contact the attorneys at Osinga Law Offices, S.C. We specialize in personal injury cases including nursing home neglect cases, and we can make sure your parent receives the compensation they deserve. ​