Many Illinois families place their elderly in nursing homes when they can no longer attend to their loved ones, relying on these facilities to provide high-quality care. Although many nursing homes take care of patients appropriately, others do not. At least 10 percent of people over 65 suffer from some form of neglect or abuse in long-term care facilities.
Abuse or neglect can have immediate effects, but they can also cause long-term consequences. What are these effects? Why does nursing home neglect and abuse happen? A compassionate lawyer from Flaherty Law, LLC can help you and your family hold the at-fault parties accountable.
What Are Common Kinds of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect?
Nursing homes, staff, and other care providers have a legal duty to provide patients with proper care. That means giving prompt medical treatment, helping patients with daily personal hygiene, ensuring that patients do not remain in the same position for extended periods, feeding and hydrating patients properly, keeping the facility clean, and many other obligations. When patients suffer harm due to abuse or neglect, you may qualify for compensation.
Nursing home patients can suffer from various kinds of neglect or abuse, including:
- Inadequate nutrition and hydration
- Lack of supervision
- Delayed medical treatment
- Lack of assistance moving for those with limited mobility
- Threats and intimidation
- Hitting or slapping
- Financial misconduct
- Sexual abuse
- Restraining patients to keep them contained for the staff’s convenience
Patients can suffer various physical ailments, such as bedsores, broken bones, dehydration, infections, and STDs. Untreated infections and injuries can cause chronic pain and worsen the patient’s overall health condition. More intense treatment is sometimes needed, and some forms of physical neglect and abuse can be life-threatening.
How Does Neglect and Abuse Affect Nursing Home Patients Long Term?
The effects of abuse and neglect vary, but they can be severe. Emotional damage and trauma are common and can lead to:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Social withdrawal
- Feelings of guilt or shame
- Loss of trust in caregivers
- Cognitive decline
In cases involving financial misconduct, the patient may be left penniless and unable to pay for their care. These effects can linger long after the abuse or neglect stops, causing patients to live with a diminished quality of life.
Why Does Nursing Home Neglect Happen?
Many nursing home residents have cognitive issues and physical limitations, leaving them vulnerable. Some may not understand they are being mistreated or cannot communicate clearly with family members. Reasons behind many cases of nursing home neglect and abuse include:
- Understaffing
- Inadequate training or supervision of staff
- Lack of medical professionals at the facility
- Disinterest
- Intent to cause harm
If you believe your loved one is being harmed in a nursing home, call Flaherty Law, LLC. We can investigate and help you prevent further harm. We can also identify the at-fault parties and hold them fully accountable.
Call Our Dedicated Plainfield, IL Nursing Home Neglect Lawyer
There is no excuse for mistreating nursing home residents and those who do need to be held accountable. Flaherty Law, LLC can provide the support and legal guidance you need, so call us at 815-860-5702 now to speak with our diligent Will County, IL personal injury attorney.