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The 3 Biggest Dangers to Nursing Home Residents

As the population of seniors continues to grow, so does the need for nursing homes. Even though nursing homes are supposed to provide a safe and supportive environment for seniors, they are not always the safest place for seniors. Challenges associated with ageing do exist. Legs may be less steady, memory may be hazy, and moods may change suddenly. The elderly may experience issues as a result of these difficulties, particularly when they take place in the cramped surroundings of a nursing home.

How to care for your ageing parents when they can no longer care for themselves is one of the hardest decisions adult children have to make. You could discover that you are unable to provide your parents with the ongoing assistance they require as you manage your obligations and their demands. You and your family might need to decide if your loved one is better off receiving care at home rather than in a nursing facility. In the end, you want your family. Seniors in nursing homes face many dangers that can threaten their health and well-being.

1. Neglect

Source: forbes.com

One of the most common dangers that seniors face in nursing homes is neglect. Neglect can take many forms, including physical neglect, emotional neglect, and financial neglect. Physical neglect occurs when seniors are not provided with the necessities of life, such as food, water, and medical care. Emotional neglect occurs when seniors are not given the attention and care they need to maintain their emotional well-being. Financial neglect occurs when seniors are not given the proper financial support they need to maintain their standard of living. If senior citizens are neglected, there could be fatal consequences. If you or a loved one have suffered serious injuries or worse due to the neglect of an assisted living facility, you should find a nursing home lawyer who handles cases like falls, choking and any other accidents that occur within the confines of a nursing home.

2. Abuse

Abuse is another danger that seniors face in nursing homes. Abuse can take many forms, including physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, and financial abuse. Physical abuse occurs when seniors are physically harmed, such as being hit or physically restrained. Emotional abuse occurs when seniors are subjected to emotional harm, such as being belittled or humiliated. Sexual abuse occurs when seniors are sexually assaulted. Financial abuse occurs when seniors are financially exploited, such as having their money stolen or being coerced into signing over their assets.

3. Poor Living Conditions

Poor living conditions are another danger that seniors face in nursing homes. Poor living conditions can include things like unsanitary living conditions, inadequate medical care, and inadequate staffing levels. These conditions can lead to many health problems, including infections, bedsores, and malnutrition.

Why is This so Dangerous?

Senior citizens are a particularly vulnerable population and are, therefore, more likely to suffer from these dangers than we might imagine. One reason is that they are often physically and mentally frail. This makes them more susceptible to neglect and abuse. Additionally, many seniors in nursing homes are isolated from their families and communities. This can make it difficult for them to advocate for themselves and to report any abuse or neglect they may be experiencing. Another reason why seniors in nursing homes are vulnerable to these dangers is that nursing homes are often understaffed and underfunded. This can lead to a lack of proper training for staff members, which can increase the risk of neglect and abuse. Additionally, nursing homes may not have the resources to provide the level of care that seniors need. This can lead to poor living conditions and inadequate medical care.

What Can Be Done?

Source: calmatters.org

Many steps can be taken to address the dangers that seniors face in nursing homes. Some steps we could take are:

Increase Funding

One step is to increase funding for nursing homes. This can help to ensure that nursing homes have the resources they need to provide high-quality care to seniors. One such resource could be staff. Nursing homes must have adequate staffing levels to function properly, and these staff members should receive exceptional training so that they can provide the best possible care for the residents.

Increase Oversight

Another step that can be taken is to increase oversight of nursing homes. This can be done by increasing the frequency of inspections and by requiring nursing homes to report any abuse or neglect that occurs. Additionally, nursing homes should be required to provide regular updates to families and communities about the care that they are providing. Families of residents should also take oversight into their own hands whenever they go to visit a loved one in an assisted living facility. They should look out for signs of distress and report any suspected abuse or neglect. It’s important to advocate for the health and safety of your loved ones so you can do your part to prevent any chance of an untimely death.

Conclusion

In conclusion, seniors in nursing homes face many dangers that can threaten their health and well-being, but it doesn’t have to be this way. There are things we can do to improve living conditions for seniors in nursing homes so that they have a better chance of living a longer, more enjoyable life.

In the same way that nursing home insurance is crucial to risk leadership, so is staff training and training. Complaints often decline by ensuring staff workers have the knowledge and abilities necessary to deliver excellent care. These procedures allow nursing homes to keep giving care to the numerous patients who depend on them. Responding quickly to new complaints is an effective risk management strategy that helps so many older people live better lives and receive better care.

The expense of in-home care is less expensive than nursing homes. Even better, it avoids a lot of the problems nursing homes deal with. By taking into account your parents’ health, happiness, and future needs, you may assist them in making the greatest choice.

About Luisa Dorsey