Whether it’s due to illness, injury, or simply advanced age, many nursing home residents are in poor health. These residents need frequent care and help from staff members for tasks like taking their medications, getting to and from doctor’s appointments, and undergoing physical therapy and rehabilitation.
Unfortunately, many of the most vulnerable residents in nursing homes don’t get the time and attention they deserve. When staff members neglect residents, their health can rapidly worsen—including those who were healthy before they were neglected. The road to recovery for neglected residents is difficult, and their family members are often unsure of where to start.
Below, we share five steps family members can take to improve their loved ones’ health and well-being.
Take These Steps to Help Your Loved One Recover
- Arrange for a Thorough Medical Examination
Schedule a comprehensive medical evaluation with a trusted healthcare provider to assess your loved one's health. This examination should include a complete physical check-up, blood tests, and any necessary imaging to detect injuries, infections, malnutrition, or other health issues caused by neglect. - Develop a Personalized Treatment Plan
Work with your loved one’s healthcare provider to create a tailored treatment plan based on the results of the medical examination. This plan should address any immediate medical needs, such as wound care, medication management, and nutritional support, to help your loved one recover from the effects of neglect. - Monitor Their Health Regularly
Schedule regular follow-up appointments with healthcare professionals to monitor your loved one's progress and make any necessary adjustments to their treatment plan. Consistent monitoring helps ensure that any new or ongoing health issues are promptly addressed and managed. - Arrange for Specialized Therapies
If needed, arrange for specialized physical, occupational, or mental health therapies. These services can help your loved one regain their physical strength, mobility, and emotional well-being, addressing the physical and psychological impacts of neglect. - Ensure Proper Nutrition and Hydration
Work with a nutritionist or dietitian to develop a balanced meal plan that meets your loved one's dietary needs. Proper nutrition and hydration are vital for recovery and maintaining overall health after mistreatment at a nursing home, especially if the neglect involved inadequate food or water intake.
Steps to Take if You Want to File a Nursing Home Neglect Claim
If your loved one was neglected in their nursing home, protecting their health and getting them on the road to recovery is your top priority. However, you may also want to sue the nursing home where they were neglected. A settlement can help you pay for your loved one’s medical costs and compensate your family for your pain and suffering.
To maximize your chances of a successful claim, it’s important to take the following steps:
- Document the Neglect: Begin documenting any signs of neglect you observe. Take photos of injuries, keep copies of medical records, and write detailed notes about any incidents or conversations with nursing home staff. This documentation will be valuable if you decide to take legal action or file a complaint against the facility.
- Report the Neglect: Contact the appropriate authorities to report the neglect, such as the local adult protective services, the state’s nursing home licensing agency, or a long-term care ombudsman. Reporting neglect is critical for investigating the facility’s practices and protecting other residents from potential harm. Authorities can intervene, conduct inspections, and enforce corrective actions if necessary.
- Contact an Ohio Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer: Seek advice from an attorney with experience handling nursing home neglect or elder abuse cases. A legal professional can help you understand your rights and the legal options available, including filing a lawsuit for compensation for any harm suffered. They can also guide you through holding the nursing home accountable for their negligence.
Our Ohio Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys Are Ready to Help
At Nurenberg, Paris, Heller & McCarthy, we know how vulnerable Ohio’s nursing home residents are. We believe that any form of abuse or neglect is unacceptable, especially when they happen due to nursing homes understaffing or hiring inexperienced and unqualified workers to save money. Negligent nursing homes must be held accountable, and our Ohio nursing home abuse lawyers take pride in our ability to do just that.
If your loved one was mistreated in their nursing home, we have the experience, compassion, and aggressive approach to litigation your family needs. We aren’t afraid to go up against nursing homes, whether they’re small locally owned facilities or large corporate-owned facilities. It’s our goal to help mistreated residents and their families get maximum compensation for their damages.
Contact us today for a free consultation to learn how we can help your family during this difficult time.
