Riverside Elder Neglect Lawyer

Why does neglect of the elderly occur in Riverside?

The primary cause of elderly neglect is stress from understaffing. Caregivers can be stressed or overworked, leading them to neglect residents. Adequate staffing is the responsibility of the nursing home or residential facility. They must have enough staff to provide quality care and a safe environment. Another reason neglect happens is because the nursing home did not properly run background checks. Poor training can also lead to neglect. Even if the caregiver passes a background check, they still need training in best practices and the care the facility provides. If your loved one experiences neglect, speak to a Riverside neglect lawyer today.

Signs of elder neglect in Riverside

Caregivers are responsible for keeping the resident free from hazards and unsafe conditions. They must also prevent dehydration and malnutrition. They must provide enrichment activities and ensure the person is updated on medical care. When visiting your loved one or caring for them at home, look for these and other signs of neglect:

• Bed sores are preventable injuries in most cases. There are some legitimate reasons for minor bed sores. However, there is never an excuse for them to reach stage three or four, which involves skin loss.
• Infections can happen for many reasons, and the elderly population is at a higher risk. At the first sign of infection, caretakers should administer treatment. Delaying or denying treatment can result in a life-or-death situation.
• Falls and fractures shouldn't occur with adequate supervision, and the caregiver should adhere to the care plan. If your loved one is a fall risk, they must have additional requirements to avoid falls and potential bone fractures.
• Sudden and unexplained weight loss must be investigated since it can signify a failure in nourishing the resident and can also be a sign of an underlying disease not adequately addressed.
• Dehydration is another sign that a dependent adult is not receiving necessary water. Like all of us, seniors need water and should be adequately hydrated.
• Inadequate supervision can cause vulnerable seniors who have cognitive or memory issues to be tempted to wander or act out against other residents and caretakers. Individuals who are at risk of wandering, particularly those with dementia or Alzheimer's disease, should be monitored closely by all staff. Measures must be taken to keep them in the facility, and if they escape without notice, that is neglect.
• Poor personal hygiene cannot be tolerated, and residents should live in sanitary conditions. When they are not, it is neglect.
• Tube feeding failure can happen when a resident requires help feeding with a gastronomy or nasogastric tube. If the tube is misplaced, it can cause severe injuries and result in inadequate nutrition and even death. Caregivers should check tubes periodically, before feeding, and change the tubes when they are dirty or broken.
• Medication errors can be administered in a way that injures or kills a person. These medications aid healing, but an error can result in the opposite.
• Deprivation of dignity goes against the Nursing Home Bill of Rights. Adults have a right to dignity, whether at home or in a facility. Caregivers who deny a person dignity must be reported, as this is neglect.
• Peer-on-peer abuse can happen when caretakers are not paying attention. Tensions can be high among residents, but caregivers should stay alert to these issues and keep unruly residents separate.