Nursing Homes Neglect

The number of residents currently in care in this country is huge; those currently waiting to enter nursing homes are constantly on the rise in the UK. Around one in three people over 65 will develop a condition that requires care, usually in the form of dementia, most of those that are in care are treated with the upmost respect and dedicated medical care. Putting a relative into care requires trust in the staff and nurses a lot of the time this trust has to be taken at face value and most of the time the care is second to none. Unfortunately in care and nursing homes neglect can occur although cases are rare they can happen from home to home.

CQC

Most nursing homes from 1 April 2009 have to be registered to the Care Quality Commission (CQC); this has led to a severe drop in the report cases of nursing homes neglect. This is mainly due to the regular visits that the CQC pay to nursing homes and the detailed reports that are carried out.

Neglect

All nursing homes such have the care of each resident first and foremost on the list. Before a resident arrives at the home, assessments and reports must be carried out to make sure that all of the residents care needs can be fully met. This includes making changes to residents’ room to help with function and independence. There will need to be sufficient staff 24 hours a day and in all areas of the home to make sure the resident is properly assisted and helped whenever possible. Nurse’s care will need to include:

• Help with mobility aids
• Medication
• Personal hygiene assistance
• Feeding assistance
• Health and safety
• Prevention of bed sores

Abuse and negligence warning signs

The elderly and venerable that are no longer able to take care of themselves and require 24 hour medical assistance are place in nursing homes for their own well-being and to improve the condition that they are in.  Upon visits to friends or relatives there are signs that you should look for to make sure everything at the home is directed to meeting the needs of the resident, as-well as talking to loved ones about how they feel they are being treat you should look out for the following signs:

• If at any time the nurses will not allow you one on one time with your friend or relative
• Weight loss
• Any sudden changes of behaviour or any changes from the last time you visited
• Signs of restriction or restraint
• Broken bones or fractures
• Any kinds of physical injuries such as; bruises, cuts, lacerations or burns
• Broken spectacles
•  Signs of poor hygiene or dirty clothing

Of course any of the above may not be directly from nursing homes neglect and could be as a result of accident. If accident is the case, is there a possibility that it could have been averted with hazard assessments or good housekeeping; there are cases that accidents can be classed as nursing homes neglect.