Choosing the right nursing home to send our loved ones is often a stressful and research-intensive process. After all, we want our most vulnerable family members and loved ones to be cared for properly with the attention, quality of care, and comfort they need and deserve. When nursing home facilities and staff fail to provide these basic necessities of care, however, they must be held accountable for their actions.
According to a news report, first responders arrived at a local nursing home after a resident had called 911 for the second time that day. Among the 98 residents of the facility, many of them had been left to sit in their own waste with limited water, medication, and food for hours. When firefighter crews arrived on the scene, they paired off with EMS crew members and went from room to room to check on residents, monitor their vital signs, and administer medication. For the firefighters, it was the first time they had been asked to respond and care for nearly 100 people at once. The incident remains under investigation.
Shockingly, according to the National Center on Elder Abuse, approximately 95 percent of nursing home residents have been neglected or have witnessed some form of neglect. Unfortunately, Maryland is no stranger to similar incidents of neglect in nursing homes.
If you have a loved one in a nursing home facility, it is crucial that you recognize the signs of neglect and report them to the relevant authorities so that these homes and their staff are held responsible. Examples of neglect include leaving a resident with mobility issues confined to their room for long periods of time, not contacting the proper medical professional for assistance when a resident needs help, failing to change a resident’s clothes or bedding on a regular basis, neglecting a resident’s personal hygiene, or withholding food and water.
If you suspect that a family member is suffering from neglect in a Maryland nursing home, it is crucial that the first step you take is to report it. When reporting a potential case of abuse in a nursing home, you can contact 1-800-PREVENT (7383) to reach Maryland Adult Protective Services. In your report, be sure to include crucial details such as the name, age, and address of the elderly person, their present location, the extent and circumstances surrounding the neglectful situation, and the identity of the individual or facility responsible.
Why Are Most Cases of Nursing Home Neglect Not Reported?
Often, nursing home residents may be unable to communicate their experiences with neglect or may be afraid to do so within the facility. As a result, they often rely on visitors and loved ones to advocate for them to identify and notify the relevant authorities when instances of neglect take place. Thus, it is important to take a resident seriously when they disclose nursing home abuse or neglect.
Do You Need a Maryland Nursing Home Neglect Attorney?
If you or someone you love recently experienced neglect or abuse at the hands of a Maryland nursing home, contact the attorneys at Lebowitz & Mzhen today. Our lawyers have years of experience representing the injured and vulnerable and will work to get you the compensation you deserve. To schedule a free initial consultation today, contact us at 800-654-1949.