Protecting the Rights of Nursing Home Patients in South Carolina
If you have ever been forced to place a love one in a patient care facility, you know that the decision of when and whether to place a loved one in a nursing home or residential care facility is an emotionally and mentally draining decision that many times leaves you second guessing yourself. Long before you are forced to make that decision, you may be looking for signs to determine whether your loved one is taking care of himself/herself and able to live independently.
The National Center on Elder Abuse suggests that you look for the following warning signs to determine whether your loved one is neglecting his or her own care, which can lead to an otherwise preventable illness or injury:
- Hoarding
- Failure to take essential medications or refusal to seek medical treatment for serious illness
- Leaving a burning stove unattended
- Poor hygiene
- Not wearing suitable clothing for the weather
- Confusion
- Inability to attend to housekeeping
- Dehydration
According to the NCEA, self-neglect issues account for the majority of cases reported to adult protective services. Many times, a problem is paired with declining health, isolation, Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, or drug and alcohol dependency. If these signs present themselves, we strongly suggest that you immediately follow up to ensure that your loved one is safe and secure.
The nursing home attorneys at the Strom Law Firm, L.L.C. fight to protect the rights of patients and family members injured in nursing homes or patient care facilities. If your loved one is a victim of elder abuse or neglect,
