These days, many elderly people who are incapable of adequately caring for themselves at home are making a move to nursing homes and assisted care facilities. In theory, this should allow them to receive the medical and personal care they require. Unfortunately, though, there are many cases every year in which nursing home staff members behave in neglectful or downright abusive ways toward patients and residents.
When neglect or abuse leads to personal injury or wrongful death, it’s time to call a Nursing Home Neglect Lawyer in Bloomington. Below are just a few all-too-common examples of nursing home neglect cases in Indiana.
Medication Errors
All medications should be administered by trained staff members. It is extremely important that patients receive their medications in a timely way and in the correct doses. When staff members forget patients’ medications or administer them incorrectly, their neglect can lead to serious illnesses and even death.
Physical Abuse
Nursing homes are supposed to conduct extensive background checks on their employees and provide them with constant supervision to prevent physical abuse. Should a patient or resident be intentionally injured by a staff member, both the staff member responsible and the nursing home that has hired the abusive individual may be held accountable?
Malnutrition and Dehydration
Many nursing home patients are there precisely because they are unable to provide for their own basic needs, such as regular meals and sufficient hydration. If patients appear to be malnourished or dehydrated, the staff should be taking actions to correct the situation. When a resident’s basic needs are neglected, it is absolutely a good reason to call a Nursing Home Neglect Lawyer in Bloomington.
Safety Issues
In addition to ensuring good personal hygiene, nutrition, and helping administer medications, nursing homes are responsible for providing a safe and clean environment. While falls are not uncommon among elderly patients, if these falls have occurred due to unsafe conditions or inadequate staffing, the facility may be held legally liable.
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It is unfortunate, so many elderly patients and residents find themselves the victims of neglect, and even outright abuse, but family members don’t have to just sit back and do nothing.
