Before a nursing home facility accepts a resident, it must assess the person’s needs to determine whether it can provide the level of care needed.

Most nursing home residents require careful supervision. Some may be prone to wandering away if not carefully monitored, and others need frequent assistance with everyday tasks.

When nursing homes are well-staffed, they can usually provide adequate supervision and care for their residents. However, if the staff is not properly trained and managed, or if the facility lacks sufficient staffing, residents are not adequately supervised and can suffer grave injury.

Family members and friends of nursing home residents should be observant when visiting the resident. If you suspect the facility is lacking adequate supervision, or if you think a resident is suffering from neglect or abuse, you must speak up and get them help.

Common Injuries Caused By Inadequate Supervision in Nursing Homes

When residents are not adequately supervised, they are at a much greater risk of injury, illness, and harm.

Elopement. Some residents will wander away from the facility if not properly supervised. They can fall, walk into a roadway, become lost, and suffer life-threatening injuries. Residents with dementia or the tendency to wander need additional supervision to prevent harm.

Choking. Many residents need assistance with their meals. When residents are not adequately supervised, the risk of choking is much greater.

Falls. Some residents need assistance to get out of bed or to walk down the hall. If there is inadequate supervision, a resident may attempt to do so without help and fall. Falls cause many life-threatening injuries, such as blows to the head and broken bones, that can leave a resident immobilized and increase their risk of developing other illnesses.

Delayed medical treatment. Inadequate supervision also results in delayed medical care for residents because early signs of illness are missed. When residents do not receive prompt care, they are at a greater risk of developing pneumonia and other life-threatening conditions.

Depression and anxiety. When residents do not have adequate supervision and contact with staff, they can become depressed, withdrawn, and anxious. Nursing home residents are already vulnerable to mood disorders, and when a facility lacks proper staffing and adequate supervision, their mental health can suffer.

Signs of Inadequate Supervision in Nursing Homes

It is important that family members and friends of the nursing home resident know how to spot the warning signs of inadequate supervision. Some signs that the facility may lack staffing or be failing in adequate supervision include:

• Soiled bed sheets and clothes.
• Cluttered rooms.
• Rooms that appear unsanitary.
• Residents who appear unbathed or ungroomed.
• Food left in rooms long after meal time.
• Injuries to a resident, such as malnutrition, dehydration, unexplained bruises, and bedsores.
• A resident’s emotional withdrawal and depression.

If you notice these signs, ask questions. If you think your loved one is suffering or in danger, take action. Report it and consult an experienced nursing home inadequate supervision lawyer.

Talk With an Experienced Nursing Home Inadequate Supervision Attorney

If your loved one resides in a nursing home facility and you suspect the facility lacks adequate supervision, report your concern. Consider moving your loved one to a facility that can better care for them.

If your loved one has suffered harm due to a lack of supervision, neglect, or abuse in a nursing home facility, consult an experienced nursing home injury attorney.

At Julie A. Rice, Attorney at Law, & Affiliates, our attorneys have the experience, skills, and resources to help nursing home residents who have been injured get the justice and compensation they deserve.

You can schedule a free consultation with us to discuss your case. Just call (770) 865-8654 or visit our contact page.