Placing your aging loved one in a nursing home facility is a decision that your family undoubtedly put a lot of thought into. You sought the best establishment within your price range and hoped the staff would provide your relative with top-notch care.
Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Nursing home staff often take advantage of the fragile state of the aging population.
1. Poor Personal Hygiene
If you notice soon after moving your loved one into a nursing home that his or her level of personal hygiene has diminished, it could be an indication of more neglect or abuse to come. Signs of poor sanitation include wearing dirty clothes, body odor, unwashed hair, smelling of urine or feces, and overgrown nails.
2. Increased Confusion
Additional disorientation noted by family members could suggest that your aging relative is being overmedicated by facility staff. Alternatively, increased confusion, sleepiness, or drowsiness could mean that staff failed to properly monitor the side effects of properly dosed medications.
3. Decreased Mobility
Decreased mobility could indicate your older loved one is not getting proper exercise on a regular basis. In order to keep up their strength, the elderly need to walk daily. If staff in their facility does not get them up and moving, their ability to get around can diminish quickly.
4. Poor Nutrition
A dry mouth, cracked lips, sudden weight loss, and a swollen tongue can point to dehydration or malnutrition. Address any indications of poor nutrition immediately.
Before serious physical signs of abuse become apparent, look for these early indicators to prevent unnecessary deterioration of your loved one’s health.
Don't hesitate to reach out to Shay + Associates Law Firm if you require the expertise of a skilled personal injury lawyer in Springfield or Decatur, Illinois.