Nursing Home Neglect: What To Know

Posted on September 20, 2022 in Personal Injury

As we age, many of us will require some support to manage certain tasks, maintain a healthy lifestyle, or live as independently as possible. Many older adults get this support from nursing homes and other long-term care (LTC) facilities.

Many nursing homes and LTC facilities provide outstanding care that allows residents to live active and dignified lives. But unfortunately, other facilities cut corners on safety or staff quality, leaving residents vulnerable to abuse and neglect. Data from the Justice Department suggest that more than 5 percent of older adults suffer from caregiver neglect and that 57 cases of elder neglect go unreported for each case that is reported.

At the Melonakos Law Firm, we firmly believe that the neglect or abuse of our elders is unacceptable. To that end, we have compiled the following key points describing what you need to know about nursing home neglect. If you or someone close to you resides in a nursing home or LTC facility, read on to learn more – and don’t hesitate to contact us if you would like to speak with a personal injury lawyer in Greenville.

What Is Nursing Home Abuse and What Causes It?

Nursing home abuse is any intentional act on the part of a caregiver or nursing home staff member that causes or introduces the risk of harm to a resident. Nursing home abuse can take many forms, including physical abuse, psychological abuse, sexual abuse, and financial exploitation.

Caregivers in nursing homes and LTC facilities have professional and ethical responsibilities to those in their charge. When facilities enable this abuse, they also become responsible for it. The following conditions might leave residents more susceptible to mistreatment:

• Staff shortages
• Lack of appropriate staff training
• Failure to properly screen caregivers before hiring
• Lack of proper supervision or staff accountability
• Individual resident risk factors, such as dementia
• Individual caregiver risk factors, such as financial problems

What Is the Difference Between Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect?

Abuse is distinct from neglect because it is usually defined as intentionally harmful behavior. Neglect, on the other hand, is simply a lack of attention. In many cases, neglect is unintentional, occurring largely because nursing homes do not have the resources or staffing they need. Some instances of neglect are intentional, however, such as a caregiver refusing to provide a resident with the things they need.

Types of Nursing Home Neglect

Some of the most common examples of nursing home neglect include:

• Confinement – Intentionally confining, restraining, or isolating a resident without a clear medical reason for doing so
• Passive neglect – Failing to provide a resident with the care, medical resources, or life necessities they need, such as food, water, clothing, or shelter
• Willful deprivation – Intentionally refusing to provide a resident with the medication, food, therapy, interaction, or assistance they need

Contact The Melonakos Law Firm Today

If you know or suspect that nursing home neglect might be affecting someone in your life, reach out to the Melonakos Law Firm. Our knowledgeable attorneys can answer your questions and review your case for free when you contact us for your initial case review. If the situation warrants it, we can help you file a nursing home lawsuit in Greenville to protect you or your loved one.

Michael Melonakos

Michael, a lawyer who honed his skills at premier Atlanta insurance defense firms, specializes in cases involving trucking, auto, and premises liability, adeptly representing both local and national clients.