Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse in Michigan
Because nursing home patients are in fragile states of health, nursing home negligence is very dangerous. It can result in a sudden, fatal accident, or an irreversible decline in health leading to death. Occasionally a resident is singled out for neglect or abuse, but in many cases if your loved one is experiencing nursing home negligence there may be a facility-wide problem. If you suspect that neglect or abuse is occurring in a nursing home, you need to act quickly.
Criminal Neglect and Abuse
In Michigan, there are four categories of criminal neglect and abuse in a nursing home:
- Harmful neglect
- Assault and battery
- Criminal sexual conduct
- Theft/embezzlement
If you suspect criminal or noncriminal nursing home negligence, you should talk to a Michigan nursing home negligence attorney and report it to the Michigan Department of Consumer & Industry Services.
Nursing Home Neglect
It is the nursing home’s purpose to provide constant supervision and care, 24 hours a day. This is not a luxury for residents; it is necessary for their survival. Nursing home neglect is a form of abuse and it can be deadly. Neglect includes failure to provide:
- Supervision
- Nutrition and hydration
- Turning and moving of immobile patients to prevent bedsores
- Hygiene, clean bedding, and clean clothing
- Medical care
- Proper administration of medications
- Social and physical stimulation
- Assistance with bathroom needs
- Assistance walking or transferring when needed to prevent falls
- Protection from safety hazards and accidents
- Protection from assaults and abuse by staff, other residents, visitors, and intruders
Neglect is often unintentional on the part of nursing home staff members who are just trying to keep up in a very difficult environment. Common causes of nursing home neglect include:
- Poor policies and procedures
- Inadequate staff to resident ratio
- Overworked staff members
- Failure to screen and monitor staff
- Inadequately trained or under-skilled staff
- Poor record keeping
Signs of Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse
Common signs of nursing home neglect and abuse include:
- Weight loss or clothes which seem too large
- Sudden decline in health
- Poor hygiene
- Dirty clothing or sheets
- Frequent illnesses or infections
- Frequent falls
- Unexplained injuries or bruises
- Sunburn
- Use of restraints or sedation
- Confusion or dementia
- Bizarre behavior
- Sudden changes in behavior
- Withdrawal
- Sudden rude behavior toward loved ones
- Unusual behaviors such as rocking, sucking, or biting
- Resident becomes fearful, agitated, or combative in the presence of a specific staff member
- A staff member will not allow you to be alone with your loved one
- Staff members try to prevent you from visiting or delay your visit
- Staff is rude to you when you visit
- Loved one’s possessions disappearing
- Change in your loved one’s banking habits
Search this website for a list of Michigan nursing home negligence attorneys.