Poor hygiene in a nursing home is considered a form of neglect. Nursing homes must comply with certain standards of care and can be charged with neglect if they fail to keep the facility and their residents clean and cared for.
Residents of nursing homes are usually living with a variety of health conditions that can compromise their immune systems, so they are especially vulnerable to the negative effects that can arise from being exposed to germs and bacteria resulting from neglectful behavior and poor hygiene.
If you have a loved one in a nursing care facility and are worried about their welfare, contact our firm to talk about your concerns. You could be in a position to pursue compensation on behalf of your loved one. The Lyons poor hygiene lawyers at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm are ready to answer your questions and address your concerns.
Effects of Poor Hygiene in the Nursing Home
The Illinois Abused and Neglected Long-Term Care Facility Residents Reporting Act defines neglect as being “ the failure in a long-term care facility to provide adequate medical or personal care or maintenance, which failure results in physical or mental injury to a resident or in the deterioration of a resident’s physical or mental condition.” A lack of adequate hygiene in a nursing home setting can stem from:
Failing to Provide Proper Resident Personal Health Care
When caring for nursing home residents, the staff is expected to assist with basic personal hygiene needs as elderly people often suffer from health conditions that prevent them from doing it themselves.
Many residents require assistance with bathing, brushing their teeth and hair, getting dressed, and having incontinence pads and dressings changed regularly in order to stay well. If this duty of care is not achieved, the elderly person is prone to infections and other health conditions that could have serious or even fatal consequences.
Uncleanliness in the Nursing Home
Nursing homes are required by law to provide residents with a safe and sanitary living environment in order to reduce the risk and spread of infection to the people staying there. Neglecting these duties can result in sickness and other health-related problems that carry an even greater risk to those with pre-existing health conditions.
Problems with Understaffing in the Nursing Care Environment
When nursing homes are understaffed and cannot provide residents with the correct level of care, it can result in mistakes and patient neglect. Overwhelming nursing and care staff with too many people to look after has a detrimental effect on the welfare of those in their care, leading to neglect and poor hygiene.
How to Recognize Poor Hygiene Neglect
When a nursing home fails to provide proper care, residents can suffer significant physical and emotional damage, so knowing the signs of neglect can help you to prevent or stop it and to protect your loved one. Some of the more common red flags to notice include:
- Stained and unwashed clothing
- Poor dental care
- Unbrushed hair or unkempt appearance
- Improper clothing for the season
- Bad personal odor
- Development of new conditions, such as bedsores
- Changes in a loved one’s personality or complaints about discomfort
- Unchanged incontinence pads or dressings
- Unclean bedding
- Unclean work surfaces, bathrooms, kitchens, and other living areas
- Poor cleanliness and odor at the nursing home in general
- Staff appearance and attitude
- Understaffed facilities
- Appearance and demeanor of other residents
If you notice any of the above, you should speak with a Lyons poor hygiene lawyer who can advise you on the best course of action in seeking compensation for your loved one.
For a free legal consultation with a Poor Hygiene Lawyer serving Lyons, call (800) 842-6336
Take Action and Protect the Legal Rights and Well-being of a Loved One
Neglect is a serious and tragic issue that causes serious physical and emotional trauma for elderly nursing home residents. The neglect of residents that results in death, ulcers, and other physical and emotional harms are actionable claims. There are steps you can take to prevent or stop neglect, and there is help and guidance to assist you.
Nursing Home Neglect Authorities in Lyons
If you suspect that the care facility is not providing the level of care needed and believe your loved one is being neglected, you should report this to the relevant authorities in Lyons such as the Illinois Department on Aging who have a 24-hour report abuse hotline.
Legal Assistance for Nursing Home Neglect
If your loved one suffered from neglect in a nursing home setting, contacting a Lyons poor hygiene lawyer can be beneficial if you want to recover compensation for the physical or emotional damage suffered by your family member.
While this may not make up for the trauma caused, it can help to ease the financial burdens arising from medical costs and future rehabilitation at another care facility.
Our firm will be able to advise you on your legal rights and what you can do to protect your loved one’s best interests. For a confidential free case evaluation call.
Lyons Poor Hygiene Lawyer Near Me (800) 842-6336
We Seek Justice for Vulnerable People
One of the most effective ways to protect the rights of your loved one is to take legal action when nursing home neglect is discovered. If you are concerned for a family member who is living in a long term care setting and you have reason to believe they are suffering from neglect, the dedicated team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can help you today. Call for a free consultation today.
Call or text (800) 842-6336 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
