When it comes time to put a loved one into a nursing home, families have many considerations before making a final decision. They should investigate the cleanliness of the facility, how well it appears to be run, whether there are plenty of social activities, and how well trained the staff seems to be. However, even when families believe they have found a nursing home with compassionate and competent staff, they may discover later they made a mistake.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were 15,600 nursing homes in the United States in 2016. This number will increase as the number of citizens aged 65 and older increases. Studies show that elder abuse in nursing homes, whether it is emotional, physical, or sexual, is all too common.
If you suspect that a family member is suffering abuse or neglect at a nursing home because you have observed odd actions on the part of the staff, you can contact a Oklahoma City odd actions on the part of the staff lawyer that specializes in nursing home abuse. At Pintas & Mullins Law Firm, our team can help you understand what to anticipate. We offer a free, no-obligation case review. Call us today.
Common Complaints About Nursing Homes
These are some of the most common complaints about nursing homes:
- Understaffing. This can lead to burnout and tension among staff members, and it can also mean residents are not getting the care they should be getting.
- Undertrained staff. This can result in untrained staff members administering medications improperly or in not checking residents for signs of bedsores or infection.
- Odd staff behavior. If your loved one is uncomfortable around a staff member, or if the staff member does not attend your loved one’s needs, it could indicate potential cases of mistreatment or abuse.
- Lack of social stimulation. Often this stems from the fact that more active residents of a nursing home tend to leave their rooms to attend various activities. New residents may just sit in the hallway in an attempt to meet others, but they often encounter the more confused residents who do not stray far from their rooms. These new residents conclude that there is no one to talk to, so they retreat to their rooms—and often stay there, feeling very alone. Staff should help to ensure residents stay social.
- Poor quality of food. Good nutrition is crucial to good health, but when the food is not appealing, residents might avoid eating it, putting them at a higher risk of malnutrition.
- Low-quality facilities. When nursing home administrators are more interested in lining their own pockets rather than spending money on improving facilities, this can lead to sub-quality care for residents.
Common Signs of Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect
Every time you visit your loved one at a nursing home, you should be on the alert for any signs of problems, including:
- Unsanitary conditions in rooms or common areas of the nursing home
- Physical signs on your family member, such as welts, bruises, or other unexplained markings
- Pressure sores (bedsores) or frequent infections
- Rapid weight loss
- Poor personal hygiene in your loved one
- Sudden behavior changes in your family member, such as anxiety or listlessness or a reluctance to be touched
- Missing personal property or strange financial transactions
Sometimes this type of abuse or neglect can lead to injury, which is a direct violation of the Nursing Home Reform Act, which states that nursing homes must provide adequate care to those under their care. If your loved one is injured while living in a nursing home, you and your family might be entitled to compensation. It may benefit you to hire a nursing home abuse lawyer to take legal action. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today for a free consultation with a member of our team.
For a free legal consultation with a Oklahoma City Odd Actions on the Part of the Staff Lawyer serving Oklahoma City, call (800) 794-0444
Dealing With Odd Actions on the Part of the Staff
It can be challenging to provide care for nursing home residents, and many nursing homes are understaffed, which puts even more pressure on its employees. But regardless of the working environment, there is no excuse for abusing residents. Nursing homes are obligated to hire staff who are not only well trained but compassionate and patient as well.
You should be on heightened alert if you notice odd actions on the part of the staff, such as evading any questions you might have regarding your loved one’s health. Perhaps you are suddenly required to wait before being allowed to enter your loved one’s room, which could mean that staff members are attempting to cover up their abuse or neglect.
Sometimes odd actions on the part of the staff is actually inaction. For instance, if your loved one has been losing weight or if you have noticed another significant change with their well-being, but no one from the nursing home staff reported it to their physician, this is neglect.
Oklahoma City Oklahoma City Odd Actions on the Part of the Staff Lawyer Near Me (800) 794-0444
Reporting Abuse or Neglect in a Nursing Home
It is important to report suspected abuse or neglect in a nursing home. Doing so can prevent your loved one from experiencing further or worsening injuries. You can also help protect other residents who might be suffering the same things.
In Oklahoma, you can contact Long-Term Care Services, the Oklahoma Department of Health, or the Oklahoma Department of Human Services to report your suspicions. After that, you can contact a lawyer to see what legal actions you and your loved one can take.
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Finding an Oklahoma City Odd Actions on the Part of the Staff Lawyer
If you suspect your loved one in a nursing home is being abused or neglected by staff, you and your family might be able to recover damages. The Oklahoma City odd actions on the part of the staff lawyers at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm might be able to help. Call us for a free, no-obligation review of your case today.
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