With people  living longer than  ever, more and  more of our family members and  loved ones will  spend time in a nursing home. Although most nursing homes and  other long-term care facilities are  reputable and provide good care for  their residents, a few do not. Reported cases of abuse and neglect  are rising as the number of nursing  home residents rise, and the elderly  and infirm are often the least able  to help themselves.

Although nursing homes are  regulated by government agencies  that investigate and punish cases of  abuse and neglect every year, officials cannot be everywhere at once.  Everyone with a friend or relative  in a nursing home should be aware  of certain danger signs and be  ready to act if they appear.

In nursing homes, the most  common cause of neglect is the  lack of sufficiently trained staff.  With an eye on the bottom line,  some facilities do not hire enough  staff to properly care for their residents. Staffing shortages lead to  overwork, and overwork and inexperience can lead to a breakdown  in care. Neglect attributable to a  lack of staff can include improper  medication, failure to assist the  residents with their hygiene, failure  to turn the residents (leading to  bedsores), and failure to adequately provide for the residents'  safety and comfort.

More disturbingly, some nursing  home employees take advantage of  the elderly under their care. Cases of  theft, assault, and even sexual assault  of nursing home residents have been  reported. Although such examples  of outright abuse are rare, they are  serious and you should be alert for  signs of trouble.

If you suspect that the residents  of a nursing home may be abused  or neglected, follow up. A good  checkup is the surprise visit, when  the nursing home is not expecting  you. This allows you to see how the  home operates on a daily basis,  rather than just the days when  someone is coming to visit. When  visiting, get to know the staff. Staff  members can be an excellent  source of information about the  happenings in the home. If you do  not like what you see, complain.  Often, potential problems can be  avoided if the nursing home is told  clearly what is expected.

If you suspect a serious problem  at a nursing home, report it to the  appropriate authorities immediately. In addition, if you believe  that a loved one is being abused or  neglected in a nursing home, call  us. You may need an attorney to  represent you. We will help you  investigate the matter and take the  legal action necessary to protect  your loved one and to recover any  damages that you deserve.

Signs of Abuse and Neglect

What are the signs of nursing home abuse or neglect to look out for? Although a number of things might indicate that there are problems, common signs of possible trouble include:

• Bedsores;
• Soiled bed linen or the smell of feces or urine;
• Unexplained bruises or cuts;
• Use of physical or chemical restraints;
• Changes in mood or disorientation, often due to improper medication;
• Weight loss; and
• Unexplained fear or anxiety.

Trust your feelings. People can often sense trouble before they can identify a specific problem. Don't ignore your instincts.