The same conditions that land patients in nursing homes can make it hard for them to call attention to abuse or neglect. Because so many nursing home residents have serious physical or mental disabilities, they may not be able to speak or defend themselves. When they do speak out, family members may not take the accusation seriously, especially if it comes from someone with a history of mental confusion. And sometimes, these problems are compounded by nursing home staff’s misuse of powerful sedatives or psychiatric drugs.

That’s why our Pennsylvania nursing home neglect attorneys urge family members to take an active role in the lives of their loved ones who are in nursing homes. If you suspect neglect or abuse at a family member’s nursing home, the best thing you can do is keep coming back -- but carefully. On your next visit, try to arrive at a time when the home wouldn’t normally expect you. While you’re there, keep an eye on details you might normally not notice.

Common signs of nursing home neglect to watch for include:

• Problems with basic hygiene -- dirty sheets, dirty clothes, bad smells
• Unsanitary bathrooms and kitchens
• Unexplained weight loss or conditions caused by malnutrition
• Signs of dehydration, which include sunken eyes, irritability, unexpected confusion, dizziness and a drop in number of bathroom visits
• Reddish or dark patches on areas where the patient has been lying, which may be bedsores
• A sudden increase in hospital visits
• Any illness or injury that is allowed to advance significantly before the home seeks treatment
• Irrational residents allowed to wander, or uncontrolled residents who seem to inspire fear in others
• Obvious, uncorrected tripping or safety hazards that could lead to falls
• No guard at the front door

In homes with abuse, signs may be harder to see because staff members will take steps to cover their tracks. Family members should watch for:

• Any use of physical restraints that seems unusual
• Changes in medication that don’t match the patient’s medical condition, especially if the medication is a sedative, painkiller or psychiatric drug
• Running out of medication too soon, or unexplained leftover medication
• Unexpected injuries to the resident, especially if the staff can’t offer a good explanation
• Nervous, controlling or overly affectionate behavior by nursing home staff
• Staff members trying to keep family from being alone with the resident
• Signs that the resident is anxious to keep you from leaving
• Childlike behaviors, like rocking and sucking
• Emotionally or even physically withdrawn behavior

To keep the nursing home staff from hiding incriminating signs before you visit, it’s ideal to drop by unannounced, and at different times of day if possible. And don’t be afraid to visit often. Studies show that nursing home residents get better care when their loved ones visit often. If this is not feasible, you can also try hiding a camera in the resident’s room, especially if he or she has limited mobility. Not only can these cameras uncover the way staff members behave when they think no one’s looking, but they can provide valuable evidence to our Philadelphia nursing home abuse lawyers if your family later decides to pursue an abuse claim.

Even when nursing home negligence is not a physical assault, it is an assault on the victim’s dignity. If someone in your family has suffered abuse or neglect at a nursing home, you should call Rosenbaum & Associates to learn more about how we can help. Our Pennsylvania nursing home negligence attorneys have more than 25 years of experience helping victims of serious injuries seek fair compensation from the people who harmed them. For a free, confidential evaluation of your case, please contact us through the Internet or call toll-free at 1-800-7-LEGAL-7 (1-800-753-4257).