Signs of Nursing Home Neglect in South Carolina
Elderly people, especially those who are ill and unable to care for themselves, are a particularly vulnerable section of the population. While nursing homes and long-term care facilities are designed to provide the elderly with the level of care that they need and deserve, sadly, nursing home neglect occurs at an alarming rate, leaving those in need with injuries and harm.
Nursing home neglect can be hard to detect, especially when an elderly person is otherwise ill and therefore in a state of deterioration. For the family and friends of those in South Carolina nursing homes, recognizing the signs of nursing home abuses and neglect is key to the safety and well-being of their elderly loved ones. Consider the following, and if you notice any signs of nursing home neglect, do not hesitate to report it and seek legal counsel immediately.
Physical Signs of Nursing Home Neglect
Some of the most obvious signs of nursing home neglect are the physical signs. If you notice any of the following, it may be a sign that your loved one is not receiving the level of care that they need and deserve.
- Weight loss. Weight loss implies that neglect may be taking place, as it indicates that the elderly person is, for whatever reason, not receiving the level of nutrition that they need for optimal health. An overall deterioration in health condition could also be a sign of nursing home neglect.
- Falls. Falls are one of the most common sources of injury amongst elderly people throughout the United States, but in a nursing home, falls should never happen. When a nursing home fall happens, it may be because the nursing home patient was not properly assisted, supervised, and otherwise cared for.
- Bedsores. Bedsores, also called pressure ulcers, are both painful and dangerous sores that form on the skin as the result of constant, unalleviated pressure. These sores develop on elderly people who are confined to their bed, and are not moved or changed positions to prevent the development of bedsores on a regular basis. Pressure ulcers in nursing home is a serious problem, with the CDC reporting that in a single year, about 11 percent of nursing home residents throughout the U.S. had pressure ulcers.
- Bruises, cuts, or signs of physical restraints. A physical mark on a nursing home resident, such as a bruise, is never a good sign, and could mean that the nursing home resident was struck by a staff member, suffered a fall, or was restrained.
Emotional Signs of Neglect
Neglect is not always physical – it may affect a resident’s emotions and psyche, too. Human beings need love, care, and social interaction, and when they are denied these things, they can suffer a physical and psychological deterioration. Emotional changes in your loved one that may indicate neglect include:
- Withdrawal and depression. When human beings are denied social interaction or are not cared for as they should be may display signs of withdrawal or depression.
- Anger. Neglect, and emotional harm, can lead to outbursts of anger, and sometimes, even violence.
- Fear. If your loved one is afraid of the nursing home, does not want to be left alone with a staff member, or is asking to leave, this may be a sign that some type of neglect – or even outright abuse – is occurring.
Keep in mind that many of the emotional signs of neglect are often accompanied by physical signs, such as a refusal to eat, weight loss, sleeping more than normal, and a deterioration in health condition.
It is also important to remember that neglect does not just occur in nursing homes, but may occur in hospitals, when a person is receiving at-home care, and a variety or other short and long-term care facilities.
What to Do if You Suspect Nursing Home Neglect
If you suspect that nursing home neglect is occurring, you should speak with your loved one and the nursing home. If changes are not immediately made or your loved one has suffered harm, it is important that you report the neglect to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control – Nursing Home Department. The Department of Health will open an investigation and look into your allegations of nursing home neglect. You should document all signs of neglect that occur, especially if you plan to move forward with a lawsuit.
You should also consider hiring an attorney who can represent your loved one and your family during a claim for damages. At the offices of the Peake & Fowler Law Firm, P.A., we have handled many nursing home neglect and abuse cases over the years, and our skilled and compassionate South Carolina nursing home abuse attorneys know how sensitive and heartbreaking these cases can be. To schedule a free consultation, please reach out to us today by phone at (803) 788-4370 or through our website contact form.
