Regular Contact Reduces Nursing Neglect and Abuse

Most Iowans have elderly loved ones who, unfortunately, are sometimes vulnerable to nursing home abuse or neglect. In fact, a study in the New England Journal of Medicine states that 1 in 10 Americans over the age of 60 have been the victim of some form of abuse, which may include physical, emotional, financial or even sexual abuse. When a family member or friend is isolated in a nursing home setting, the potential for abuse only increases, so it is very important to stay in regular contact to make sure your family member is being well cared for.

Sometimes it is not obvious that abuse or neglect is occurring, so it is important to look for warning signs of nursing home neglect or abuse, which may include:

• Sudden weight loss
• Bedsores, or pressure ulcers
• Injuries from nursing home falls
• Dehydration
• Malnutrition
• Withdrawn behavior, or unusual changes in behavior
• Declining personal hygiene or appearance
• A shift in attitude toward nursing home staff or other resident
• Environmental hazards, such as poor lighting, slippery floors, and unsafe equipment, in a resident’s room or around the facility in general.

Research indicates that nursing home patients who are visited often by family, friends, and other loved ones are less likely to experience nursing home neglect or abuse. Being alert to signs of nursing home neglect, emotional distress, or changes in health and looking for problems such as understaffing or safety issues in the nursing home can play a critical role in elder patient care. Effective communication between family members and nursing home staff can help to prevent neglect and abuse from occurring.

Contact Experienced Iowa Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Lawyers

If you suspect your loved one has been injured due to negligence in nursing home care or is being abused by a nursing home employee, contact an experienced Iowa nursing home attorney at Hemminger Law Firm in Des Moines, IA.