The National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) reports that approximately 10% of elderly individuals are victims of abuse or neglect, but those with dementia are abused or neglected at rates estimated between 27.5% and 55%. One warning sign of potential nursing home neglect is soiled clothes or poor hygiene.
If you have spotted this warning sign with your loved one and suspect that he or she has been neglected or abused, a Tampa soiled clothes or other signs of poor hygiene lawyer from the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine may be able to help you investigate. We want to protect your loved one and prevent any future abuse or neglect. Call us at (800) 747-3733 to get started.
Examples of Poor Hygiene
Poor hygiene with the elderly may include:
- Residents sitting in clothes with urine or stool in them
- Unbrushed teeth
- Dirty or unlaundered clothes
- Lack of bathing
- Uncombed or unkempt hair
- Long, unclipped fingernails
How Poor Hygiene May Affect the Elderly
Poor hygiene can bring about several negative health consequences for the elderly, including:
- Increased risk for infection or illness: unclean surfaces are breeding grounds for bacteria, which can cause a myriad of infections and illnesses.
- Periodontal or gum disease: poor dental hygiene can cause various mouth and gum diseases. The New York Times reports that poor dental hygiene is a common experience in some nursing homes.
- Prevalence of bedsores: the Mayo Clinic says that these pressure ulcers can develop if a bedridden patient is not moved often enough.
- Greater risk of falls: other unhygienic practices can result in the accumulation of clutter and unclean flooring surfaces that can pose a slip and trip risk.
- Weight loss: poor hygiene can also result in unsavory conditions around food and drink, resulting in nursing home residents not getting proper nutrition and thereby losing weight.
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Signs of Poor Hygiene
If you are concerned that the facility where your loved one lives may be neglecting your loved one, there are many signs that you can look for that may indicate neglect, including:
- Lack of seeing staff wash their hands frequently
- Biological or medical waste not being properly disposed of
- Infrequent changing of incontinence products on patients
- Infestation of bugs or rodents
- Food preparation or storage areas that are cluttered or otherwise not clean
- Bacteria, mold, or mildew growth in bathrooms or shower areas
- Not seeing staff clean surfaces like tables and chairs where bacteria may be located
- Not seeing staff clean other commonly touched surfaces, such as doorknobs
- Unclean resident rooms or common areas
- Cluttered floors or walkways
Causes of Poor Hygiene in Nursing Homes
Nursing homes are expected to treat elderly and disabled patients with the proper degree of care. This includes providing the necessary grooming and hygiene practices to properly care for residents. However, these duties are sometimes neglected by nursing homes due to:
- Lack of proper training or education: some caregivers may not have sufficient training or education to understand the proper hygiene for the elderly. They may not be trained in the basics of care.
- Understaffing: many nursing homes do not have an adequate number of caregivers, so they may be stretched too thin to keep a watchful eye out for all residents. Caregiving is a difficult job with a high turnover.
- Lack of proper sanitation procedures: the nursing home may not have implemented clear policies and guidelines regarding sanitation standards, handwashing, or grooming measures. This can be a dangerous precursor to the possibility of illness or infection to a population who may have weakened immune systems and more precarious health conditions.
If you think any of these conditions may have led to your loved one being left in soiled clothes or otherwise neglected, contact our team today.
How Our Tampa Lawyers May Be Able to Help
A Tampa soiled clothes or other signs of poor hygiene lawyer from our team may be able to help protect your loved one by:
Investigating
Your lawyer can investigate your suspicions and look for signs of improper hygiene practices or neglect. We may be able to gather evidence to help support your claim, such as:
- Photos or videos of the nursing home or your loved one’s condition
- Incident reports of falls and other indications of a cluttered environment
- Medical records
- Statements from other residents or former staff members about the condition of the nursing home
- Cleaning schedules and records that indicate they were not followed
Reviewing Similar Reports
We can check with state agencies and other oversight groups for similar reports of mistreatment. This may help indicate a pattern of neglectful care.
Negotiating Your Claim
We understand the difficulty that this type of situation causes for a family. You may be considering alternative living arrangements for your loved one while also balancing your own work and family obligations. We want you to focus on your loved one while we handle the rest. Your lawyer may be able to:
- Handle communication with the nursing home’s insurance company
- Provide supplemental information for your claim
- Estimate your loved one’s damages
- Negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf
- Provide you with ongoing advice throughout the life of your claim
If the insurance company does not offer fair compensation for your loved one’s mistreatment, we can discuss alternatives to a settlement. Call (800) 747-3733 today for your free consultation.
Contact Our Team for a Free Case Review
If you are concerned that your loved one may be being neglected or abused in a nursing home, a Tampa soiled clothes or other signs of poor hygiene lawyer from the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine may be able to help. We will discuss your claim during a free consultation and also inform you of other possible warning signs that your loved one may not be being treated properly. We work on a contingency-fee-basis, so you are not responsible for any attorney fees unless we are able to recover financial compensation for your claim. Call our team at (800) 747-3733 to get started.
