Different Types of Nursing Home Neglect in Charleston, South Carolina

Most people dread nursing homes because it conjures up all types of negative images. Unfortunately, many of the stories that we hear are true. Despite all the attention this issue has received recently, nursing home neglect has continued to rise at an alarming rate. A large majority of nursing home residents suffer from some type of neglect. Tragically, only a few of these stories come to light as most Charleston, SC seniors either do not have the ability to communicate or are simply too afraid to speak up.

What Are Common Types of Nursing Home Neglect to Look Out for in Charleston, SC?

There are different types of nursing home neglect, some of which include:

1. Medical neglect: This is said to occur when the nursing facility fails to meet or address the basic medical concerns of the senior resident. For example, if the patient is diabetic, their blood sugar level needs to be checked frequently. If this is not done, there is a risk that the patient may go into a coma. Similarly, if a resident presents with symptoms of vomiting, severe abdominal pain, fever, and diarrhea, it is important to take this condition seriously and to transfer the patient to the nearest hospital. If the staff does not monitor or cater to these medical situations, they are neglecting the patients.
2. Failure to meet basic living needs: Some nursing homes fail to meet the basic living needs of the resident. For example, the resident is left in bed with soiled diapers for several days or is not provided with an adequate amount of food or water. This type of treatment is against basic humanity. There are also cases where the environment is not safe for the residents. The room may have obstacles which prevent the resident from ambulation or there is constant water dripping on the floor which increases the risk of slips and falls. In some cases, another resident or even a worker from the nursing home may walk into the room and assault the resident. It is the duty of all nursing homes to ensure that the environment is safe for all residents.
3. Failure to maintain personal hygiene: This is also a common problem observed in nursing homes. Many residents of nursing homes cannot walk to the bathroom or dress themselves. Some even need assistance with brushing and bathing while others may not be able to clean themselves after going to the toilet. When the nursing staff does not attend to these needs and is not helping patients maintain personal hygiene, this is also a form of nursing home neglect.
4. Emotional neglect: There are times when staff in nursing homes just ignore the resident or leave them alone for prolonged hours. Some staff members have very little patience and can sometimes be rude or loud with these residents. For example, a senior with mild dementia may be left in bed for hours or the resident may be kept tied to his chair near the nursing desk without anyone paying attention to him. Emotional neglect is hard to prove because there are no real physical signs.

The majority of Charleston nursing home neglect is preventable, but the problem is that most nursing facilities tend to cover up their mistakes. Therefore, it is important for family members to be vigilant and to closely monitor their loved ones so they can see signs of neglect if that is the case. Some clues that may suggest neglect are: unexpected weight loss, dehydration, malnutrition, and withdrawal. If you live in Charleston, South Carolina and have a loved one in a nursing home, you should be careful that they are not victims of neglect. If you suspect anything, you should speak to a Charleston nursing home abuse attorney immediately.

Consult with a Charleston Attorney About Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse

At David Aylor Law Offices, we believe that every human being has the right to be treated with respect. When it comes to people in nursing homes, we realize that many of these residents are elderly and sick. Our Charleston nursing home abuse lawyer will help you understand if your suspicions are worth checking out. If your loved one is being abused or neglected, we can assure you that our Charleston SC nursing home abuse attorney will ensure that you get justice and that your loved ones are protected from additional abuse or neglect. Call us today, and our Charleston SC nursing home injury attorney will be happy to assist you in determining how you can provide your loved one with safety and security in an environment that is not harmful to their health.