What is nursing home neglect?

A lot of nursing home residents experience or witness some type of neglect regularly. The CDC defines nursing home neglect as “the failure to meet an older adult’s basic needs. These needs include food, water, shelter, clothing, hygiene, and essential medical care.”

A lot of nursing home residents experience or witness some type of neglect regularly. While neglect may not be as physically harmful as outright abuse, this is still a cause for concern.

What are some examples of nursing home neglect?

Neglect takes many forms. Some examples include:

• Ignoring a call (bell) for help from a resident in physical distress
• Not supplying the resident with enough food or water
• Letting a resident who has soiled themselves sit that way for hours
• Not calling a doctor or nurse when one is needed
• Not helping a resident get clean when they need assistance
• Ignoring a resident who has mobility issues by leaving them alone for hours.
• Failing to give a resident their necessary medication or treatment.

Simply put, neglect occurs when the resident’s reasonable and basic needs are not being met.

Why does nursing home neglect occur?

Staff shortages are the biggest reason that neglect occurs. When a nursing home has 200 residents and only 10 aides and two nurses, there is bound to be neglect.

Poor hiring practices are also problematic. Potential staff members need to have their background checked for prior criminal activity and charges of abuse. Unfortunately, this step is often skipped when there is a serious staff shortage at the facility. Nursing home neglect also happens due to poor or inadequate training. A poorly trained staff member may make some serious mistakes with medication, meal requirements, and basic care.

If you or your loved one is a victim of nursing home neglect, seek legal assistance to protect your loved one’s interests.