Because they are commonly considered medical facilities, it may come as a shock to learn that many nursing homes and assisted living facilities are guilty of failing to maintain proper hygiene. This type of nursing home abuse usually comes in the form of neglect. For example, residents may be left unbathed for days at a time, wearing the same dirty clothes. The attorneys at PA Nursing Home Lawyers have been faced with this situation, and many others sadly similar.
Guarding Against Poor Hygiene In Nursing Facilities
Before choosing a nursing home for your loved one, its important that you inspect the facility for overall cleanliness. Are the kitchen and food service areas free of mess? Bathrooms and showers can be breeding grounds for bacteria; are they cleaned frequently? What about chairs, tables, and counters?
Causes Of Poor Hygiene In Elder Care Facilities
When you brought your loved one to a nursing home or assisted living facility, you probably assumed that their environment would be free of hazards. What you may not know is that many staff members at elder care facilities lack the formal education required to maintain proper hygiene. These employees may have been untrained in the basics of medical care. Or perhaps the cause lies in understaffing, as too few staff members try to meet the needs of too many patients. Other potential factors in a nursing home’s improper hygiene may be:
- Improperly disposed biological and medical waste
- Infrequent changing of diapers and other incontinence devices
Problems Caused By Poor Hygiene In Nursing Homes
- Rapid spread of illness in unclean environments
- Severe infections
- Obstacles, leading to slip, trip, & fall accidents
- Bed sores
- Weight loss
Contact A Philadelphia Elder Care Abuse And Neglect Lawyer
If your loved one currently lives in an elder care facility with issues of poor hygiene, it’s not too late. Medical facilities should be spotless, and should be maintained so through strict cleanliness standards. If you suspect that your loved one’s nursing home or assisted living facility is not upholding appropriate standards of hygiene, act immediately. An improperly cleaned environment threatens the lives of nursing home patients.
Contact PA Nursing Home Lawyers, an experienced team of attorneys who have handled numerous cases of elder abuse involving poor hygiene. To schedule a free consultation, call (215) 563-2499 or fill out our online contact form.
