Age is something that impacts us all at some point. Over the years, we may gradually feel like we’re less able to cope with different pressures throughout the day.
It can be hard to know what to do if your elderly relative is in this situation. Often, it is in their best interests to seek some help in the form of a nursing home. Nursing homes have a legal duty to provide high standards of care to vulnerable people. Generally, this is precisely what these institutions do.
Sadly, this isn’t always the case though and abuse does happen.
Neglect as abuse
It’s true that violence and shouting are forms of abuse that are completely unacceptable. Nonetheless, nursing home abuse is often as much about omissions as actions. In other words, staff not doing something when residents need them to.
If your relative needs to be reminded or helped with their medication, then this responsibility falls on the nursing home staff. Some elderly people are unable to prepare their daily meals. If a nursing home has offered to ensure that residents gain all of the nutrition they need, then they must meet this obligation. Malnutrition can be life-threatening in elderly people and failing to feed residents could be classified as a form of abuse.
What can you do?
If you notice anything unusual, such as your loved one losing weight, becoming anxious or withdrawn, or having bruising etc, then it’s important to follow up. If management cannot provide an explanation and solution, then it might be time to look into your legal options.