As your parents age, they will require an increasing amount of hands-on care. At some point, they may become completely dependent on you to take their medicine, get fed, navigate the house, bathe and to be driven to appointments. However much you love your parents, you may not have the time or the resources to provide the encompassing care they need.
Many Illinois residents turn to nursing homes for help. You trust these facilities to care for their physical and emotional wellbeing. However, reports show an alarming number of incidents each year of resident neglect and abuse. Learn what you can do to keep your loved one safe.
Recognizing signs of neglect
You may not be able to watch the ins-and-outs of your loved one’s daily care, but you should remain aware of their well-being. Monitoring their mental and physical health can help you quickly recognize signs of distress. Speak with your parent on a regular basis and visit the facility as often as possible. While there, keep an eye out for any of the following signs that could signal neglect.
- Dirty clothing or bed sheets
- Bedsores
- Emotional distress/changes in behavior
- Frequent sickness or infection
- Loss of weight
- Lack of hygiene
- Unexplained falls
- Loss of mobility
Nursing home neglect can stem from many causes, including understaffing, overworked staff, lack of supervision or undertrained staff. However, none of these reasons excuses the neglect of residents.
What can you do if you suspect neglect?
If you suspect neglect, take immediate action. Doing so can help not only your loved one, but other nursing home residents as well. Consider contacting the following groups for help:
- The Illinois Department of Public Health
- The Illinois State Police Medicaid Fraud Control Unit
- A personal injury attorney experienced representing nursing home neglect victims
Nursing home neglect victims may be able to file a personal injury claim to seek justice and secure the compensation they need to obtain safe and proper care.
If you think your loved one was harmed by nursing home negligence, call The Personal Injury Lawyers ™, at 312-999-9990.
