Moving an elderly family member into an assisted living facility can be stressful. You hope they’ll be well cared for, but you’re afraid this might not happen. When it seems like your fears were right, it can be hard to know what to do next. Here’s what to know about assisted living neglect and how to know if your loved one might be a victim.
What Does an Assisted Living Facility Do That’s Different From a Nursing Home?
Assisted living facilities are typically geared towards elderly people who are still capable of performing some activities independently. They might need help with certain things like hygiene or meals, but they are usually mobile and able to get around with or without mobility aids.
Nursing homes offer a more advanced level of care for people who need additional support or specialized medical assistance.
Why Assisted Living Neglect Happens
There are many reasons why a resident might be neglected in an assisted living facility. Some places may be understaffed or have staff who aren’t trained to take care of certain needs. Or, there may not be policies in place to make sure every resident is cared for. Despite these challenges, facilities have specific responsibilities to prevent avoidable harm.
Look For These Signs of Neglect
Unfortunately, neglect in an assisted living facility can take many forms. It can be tough for family members to differentiate between issues that are normal for aging people and real neglect. This is especially true if your relative has a high degree of independence. Here are some things you can look for:
- Poor hygiene. If your loved one needs help bathing or with laundry, check to make sure they have clean clothes and aren’t unkempt.
- Weight loss. If your family member’s health is declining in a way that seems sudden, unexplained, or inconsistent with what doctors have told you to expect, neglect may be one possible concern.
- Falls can happen, even when staff are attentive. But if they happen a lot or it seems like your family member is getting hurt often, this might be cause for concern.
- Medication issues. Many older adults need help remembering when to take their meds or having meds administered. You may want to take a closer look if your family member has been missing doses or not getting their medications on time.
- Worsening health. If your family member’s health keeps getting worse in a way that doesn’t make sense with their age, it could be due to neglect.
- Different behavior. Changes in your loved one’s personality may also be a clue that something might not be right at the facility. Anxiety and depression aren’t uncommon for older people, but if it’s new or getting worse, their environment could be a factor.
What to Do Next
If you think your family member might be a victim of neglect in their assisted living community, it can be hard to know what steps to take. Here are some tips:
Start putting together evidence of potential neglect.
This might be journaling times when you visit your loved one and they are wearing dirty clothes or taking photos of injuries that pop up without a good explanation.
Talk to facility staff.
Don’t be afraid to talk about your concerns to staff members or an administrator. Not only can this help correct mistakes or oversights at the facility, but it can also create a written record of your concerns, which may be important if the problem continues or if you later need to bring a legal claim.
Request copies of records.
Assisted living communities generally keep records related to the care and services residents receive. If you are authorized to access them, ask for copies and keep them in a safe place.
Report the facility to the state.
Depending on the type of facility and where your loved one lives, you may be able to report concerns to a state agency, Adult Protective Services, or the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program. In an emergency, call 911.
Massachusetts Department of Public Health
1-800-462-5540
Massachusetts Elder Abuse Hotline
1-800-922-2275
Massachusetts Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
1-800-243-4636
New Hampshire Adult Protective Services
1-800-949-0470
New Hampshire Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
603-271-4375
How an Assisted Living Neglect Lawyer Can Help
To be legally actionable, assisted living neglect must meet certain criteria. An experienced lawyer can help you figure out if you have a potential case. If so, they can also help you collect evidence and take the appropriate steps under state law.
Contact Mazow | McCullough, PC Today
At Mazow | McCullough, PC, we’ve advocated for families whose elder relatives were neglected in assisted living facilities and nursing homes. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation to discuss your potential case by calling (978) 744-8000 or toll-free at (855) 693-9084.
Additional Resources
Falls May Be a Serious Sign of Neglect
