What Are the 3 Most Common Complaints About Nursing Homes?
June 10, 2024 | Nursing Home Abuse
Nursing homes provide essential services to individuals who cannot live by themselves. An older person may need a high level of care because they cannot perform activities of daily living. They may also require some assisted living care because they are beginning to experience the negative impacts of aging.
Whatever the reason might be, many families need to place their family members in nursing homes for care. Unfortunately, there is a vast difference in the quality of care between these facilities. Some nursing homes provide exceptional care, whereas others may be dangerous and harmful to residents.
Three common complaints about nursing homes in Pennsylvania are:
Lack of Social Interaction
A large percentage of nursing home residents report suffering severe loneliness. The lack of social interaction in nursing homes can have devastating consequences for residents. Research has found that being isolated can increase the risk of some health conditions, including strokes and dementia.
In addition to increasing the risk of health conditions, lack of social interaction can increase the risk of nursing home abuse and neglect. When a resident is isolated, they cannot report abuse and neglect. If no one visits a resident, there is no one to ensure that a person is treated with dignity and care.
Bad Food in Nursing Homes
A common complaint about nursing homes is the poor quality of food offered by the facilities. Often, there is little variety in food choices in nursing homes. The food served contains processed ingredients and is not rich in vitamins or nutrients. In some cases, nursing home food may not meet the individual health requirements of a patient.
Poor food quality in nursing homes can lead to malnutrition. Residents may not eat the food because it does not taste good or they don’t like the choices. Nursing home residents who do not eat a healthy diet may suffer from numerous health conditions.
Slow Response Times in Nursing Homes
Another complaint about nursing home care is the slow response time for staff members. When staff members do not respond to residents, the residents could become injured as they try to get up without assistance.
Residents could develop bedsores because of the lack of activity. Slow response time could mean waiting too long to take medication doses, soiled bedclothes, feelings of shame, and low self-esteem.
A common cause of slow response times in nursing homes is understaffing. However, a lack of care and the hiring of unqualified staff members can also contribute to this problem.
What Should I Do if I Suspect Nursing Home Abuse in Carlisle, PA?
Unfortunately, the complaints about nursing homes are often valid. Complaints from residents can be a sign of neglect or abuse. Family members and friends need to watch for signs of nursing home abuse when they visit their loved ones.
Nursing home abuse can take many forms including, but not limited to:
- Neglect
- Physical abuse
- Emotional abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Financial abuse
- Verbal abuse
If you suspect that a nursing home patient is being abused, you can contact the Pennsylvania Department of Health to file a complaint. If you believe a resident is in imminent danger or requires emergency medical services, call 911 to report nursing home abuse.
You may also consider contacting a Carlisle personal injury lawyer for help. An attorney can advise you of your loved one’s legal options for suing a nursing home for damages.
Filing a Personal Injury Claim for Nursing Home Abuse in Carlisle, Pennsylvania with Marzzacco Niven & Associates’ Help
Residents of nursing homes may be entitled to compensation for their economic and non-economic damages caused by abuse and neglect. Pennsylvania personal injury laws hold parties responsible for negligently and intentionally causing someone harm.
A patient could have a claim against the individuals responsible for the abuse and neglect. However, they may also have a claim against the nursing home and other parties for allowing the abuse and neglect to occur.
If you have questions or want to know if you can sue a nursing home for abuse and neglect, schedule a free consultation with a Carlisle personal injury attorney. The parties who caused your loved one’s injuries and suffering should be held accountable for their actions.
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