Unfortunately, cases of neglect in Colorado long-term care facilities, as in many other states, are common. Earlier this year, a caretaker previously fired for neglect was charged with the death of an elderly woman in a Colorado nursing home. The assisted living facility staff allegedly caused an injury to the victim but did not report the incident. She did not provide assistance in obtaining treatment or medical attention for the victim. The elderly later died. 

Nursing homes are generally expected to protect and take good care of the elderly people entrusted to them. However, there are some assisted living facilities that fail to maintain the health, safety, and well-being of their residents. Failure to provide the standard of care can be considered neglect and can result in harm to older people. 

What is nursing home neglect?

Nursing home neglect is one of the most common forms of elder abuse. It happens when a facility fails to provide the proper level of care and fulfill the basic needs of its residents. Neglect can include failure to provide adequate food, water, shelter, hygiene, clothing, and essential medical care. Victims of nursing home neglect or their families may have the right to pursue legal action against the at-fault staff or facilities.

Neglect vs Abuse

Nursing home neglect and abuse are two different concepts. However, both are regarded as mistreatment that can seriously affect the overall way of life of older people. 

Nursing home abuse is an intentional act that causes harm to vulnerable victims. Meanwhile, nursing home neglect can be either an intentional or unintentional lack of action to meet the needs of the elderly. 

Victims of both abuse and neglect in assisted living facilities are entitled to file a legal claim for their physical injuries, financial losses, emotional trauma, and pain and suffering. Knowing the difference is important to properly identify, report, and address the issues in nursing homes.

Causes of nursing home neglect

Nursing home neglect can stem from many factors. Here are some of the common causes of negligence in long-term care facilities:

• Staffing Issues: These are the primary causes of nursing home neglect. Staffing issues include understaffing and high turnover rates. If assisted living facilities do not have sufficient numbers of well-trained and consistent workers, or if staff are overworked, patients may receive poor care and attention.

• Inadequate Training: This is the lack of appropriate training for employees that focuses on elder care techniques. It also involves limited knowledge about specific medical conditions or proper care procedures.

• Poor Management or Supervision: Poor management includes ineffective leadership and administration or a lack of clear policies and systematic procedures. 

• Financial Restriction: Sadly, there are nursing homes that prioritize profits over the standard of care. If the management cuts the budget, the services or staff may be reduced. Nursing home neglect also happens when facilities purchase substandard equipment or incomplete medical supplies.

• Burnout: Employees of long-term care facilities also suffer physical and emotional stress due to the nature and demands of their work. The stress of caregivers can eventually lead to burnout and high turnover rates. 

Types of nursing home neglect

There are various types of nursing home neglect that directly affect the overall safety, health and well-being of the elderly. Different forms of neglect include: 

• Medical Neglect: Medical neglect occurs when caregivers fail to provide adequate care and to properly treat or prevent health problems. This includes ignoring medical conditions or failing to report them, medication errors, and a lack of mobility assistance.

• Basic Needs Neglect: Neglect of basic needs happens when nursing homes fail to provide enough food and water or a clean and safe environment. This also involves poor management of nutrition or hydration for the residents and the loss or lack of clean clothing or bedding.

• Personal Hygiene Neglect: This kind of negligence takes place when an assisted living facility does not offer enough help to keep a resident clean. Personal hygiene neglect includes infrequent bathing, unchanging soiled clothing or bedding, or a lack of dental care.

• Social or Emotional Neglect: Social or emotional neglect occurs when a nursing home ignores a resident and isolates them from others. This also includes leaving the elder alone or not letting them interact with loved ones or other residents.

• Self-Neglect: Self-neglect is the inability of an older adult to carry out necessary self-care tasks and activities due to physical or mental impairment. The elderly person does not seek help or refuse to receive assistance from other people. Self-neglect happens when a nursing home neglects a resident and fails to perform their duties to help them. 

• Medical Neglect: This form of neglect occurs when an assisted living facility fails to deliver the essential healthcare needs of their patients. Medical neglect involves under- or overmedication or failure to treat the existing health issues of an adult resident. 

Signs of nursing home neglect

Although nursing home neglect may not seem as dangerous as other types of elder abuse, it can still be dangerous for vulnerable patients. It is important to identify the signs of neglect in nursing homes to help the elderly and keep them safe from further harm. The following are the indications of negligence in assisted living facilities:

• Physical signs:
  • Unexplained weight loss or malnutrition
  • Dehydration of the skin, like chapped lips
  • Bedsores or pressure ulcers
  • Unusual injuries like bruises and broken bones
  • Poor personal hygiene, like body odor and unwashed hair
  • Unsanitary living conditions
  • Untreated medical conditions or infections
  • Loss or lack of mobility
  • Worsening of chronic conditions

• Behavioral and emotional signs:
  • Depression or anxiety
  • Sudden personality or mood changes 
  • Withdrawal from usual activities
  • Silence, discomfort, or fear around certain staff members
  • Agitation or confusion unrelated to medical conditions

• Social signs:
  • Isolation from other residents
  • Restriction or no visitation is allowed

• Environmental signs
  • Loss or lack of heat or air conditioning
  • Unsafe living conditions like tripping hazards and poor lighting
  • Appearance of pests 
  • Dirty or soiled bedding and clothes

• Financial signs:
  • Unexplainable charges or changes in billing
  • Missing personal items
  • Sudden changes in financial documents

• Staff-related signs:
  • Consistently understaffed long-term care facility
  • High staff turnover
  • Overworked or inattentive staff
  • Slow response to calls for assistance
  • Staff unwilling to leave the resident alone with visitors

If you, or a loved one, experienced neglect in nursing homes and then suffered injuries, a lawsuit may help you get compensation for your losses. We at the Anzalone Law Offices understand that being a victim of nursing home neglect is overwhelming, as it does not only result in physical harm but also emotional, psychological, and financial damages. Our skilled lawyers are passionate and devoted to assisting and fighting for the legal rights of the elderly in Colorado. So do not hesitate to contact us, and we will do our best to obtain the justice you deserve.