Common examples of nursing home neglect and how to identify them

Published: 18/07/2023

If you believe that your loved one is being subject to neglect in their nursing or care home, it is a naturally worrying and stressful time. You may wonder what constitutes neglect and what process you should follow to find out more before you make any accusations. You may also wonder if any accusation will affect your loved one's position and experience in their care home.

In this guide, we will explore the common forms of neglect in nursing homes, how you can make a negligence claim, and why seeking legal advice is your best option. We have advised many clients over the years to give them the information, support and guidance that they need to get help.

What constitutes neglect in a nursing home?

Neglect in a nursing or care home can take many forms, for example, if staff are not maintaining proper hygiene, medical care, diet, emotional support, and general assistance for the home's residents. Neglect is the failure to provide residents with a 'reasonable' standard of care, bearing in mind that many families spend a great deal to access high-quality care for their loved ones. It is important to know that neglect stems from carelessness; it is different to abuse, which is intentional in nature, and can span physical, mental, verbal, sexual and financial abuses of various kinds.

In 2020, a WHO study found that around 64% of care home employees admitted that they had committed some form of abuse or neglect in their careers. Meanwhile, the Department of Health has confirmed that around 200,000 cases of alleged elderly abuse occur each year.

What is the most common form of neglect in nursing homes?

There are several types of nursing home abuse to be aware of, and they may vary in severity and frequency. Examples of care home neglect are:

• Emotional abuse and neglect: these are the most common forms of abuse in nursing homes and may be seen if your loved one is being left alone in their room, alone, for extended periods of time, and if you have seen signs of emotional and mental distress or degeneration through isolation.
• Improper medical care: such as errors in providing medication, or failure to give medication.
• Personal hygiene: for example, failing to properly wash and clean residents and allow them to maintain their personal dignity and appearance.
• Dehydration and malnutrition: this occurs particularly if residents need assistance and encouragement to eat and drink.
• Ignoring residents when they need assistance ,leading to distress, medical issues, personal hygiene issues and even accidents.

If you believe that your loved one is experiencing abuse in a care home, find out how our negligence solicitors can assist you.

What signs should I look out for to identify abuse?

There are different signs of nursing home neglect. Some of the common signs include:

• Significant weight loss, which is not related to a known condition or illness
• Social isolation, compounded by emotional neglect and distress
• Living in an environment which smells bad or is clearly dirty and unhygienic
• Marks and bruises on their body which cannot be explained by medical conditions, including bedsores and pressure sores. These could be a sign of physical abuse
• Wearing dirty clothes, having unbrushed hair or having poor personal hygiene
• Signs of emotional distress and upset, such as depression, withdrawal and unexplained fear and anxiety.

You might also notice other signs, such as a lack of nursing home staff, too few mobility aids, a poor sense of staff morale, evidence of improper techniques, dirty communal spaces, and unprofessionalism.

How can I prove that nursing home neglect is occurring?

It can be particularly challenging to identify nursing home neglect, as it is not always possible to ask your loved one if they have concerns, especially if they have any neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's or dementia. However, it is important to act quickly if you have concerns, as neglect can cause your loved one to degenerate quickly, and a neglectful culture within a care home can mean that other residents are being neglected too.

A culture of neglect can also be a precursor to more serious types of nursing home abuse, particularly if nursing home staff are not being screened, trained, and managed appropriately.

It is important to act quickly if you do see signs of neglect, and the first step is to gather as much evidence as you can and seek legal advice. Examples of evidence could be photographs, witness statements, emails, medical reports, contracts of care with the nursing home facility and detailed diary entries that record events and occurrences.

Whether NHS-run or private, nursing or care homes operate to strict legal and quality standards, designed to protect every elderly resident within the assisted living facility, as well as to maintain public health. If you believe that your loved one is experiencing any type of elder abuse in their care home or nursing home, a lawyer can provide the information that you need to understand the next steps and information on how to fix the problem.

To seek expert legal advice for nursing home negligence, you can get in touch with our professional team today.

What is the difference between nursing home abuse and neglect?

As mentioned previously, nursing home neglect stems from a lack of appropriate care, whereas abuse is a form of direct harm to a nursing home resident (such as causing a physical injury). Both have similarities and may co-exist. It is important to note that both nursing home neglect and abuse can result in successful claims, and the law supports you to progress action for either scenario.

When should I seek legal advice?

Once you have gained evidence that supports your belief that care home neglect (or abuse) is occurring at your family member's facility, then you should go to your local authority for advice. Following this, a Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspector may pay the nursing home a visit. If your concerns persist, then it is vital to seek legal advice before you progress legal action.

How Wake Smith can assist

Wake Smith are legal experts in care home neglect and abuse, plus clinical and medical negligence. We are here for you on a no-obligation basis and can provide the professional advice and support you need to protect your loved one and ensure that you have the law on your side.

Please contact us confidentially and discreetly for a free consultation and to access the help that you need.

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