Poor Hygiene and Nursing Home Abuse

    PHOENIX, AZ, March 30, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- A common form of nursing home neglect that few people consider is poor hygiene. You are paying the nursing home to care for your elderly loved one, so there is no excuse for the staff's failure to maintain their bodily hygiene.

Few nursing home employees are formally educated in the field of health care. Therefore, if residents are left unbathed, or in clothes that are not clean, the staff may not consider it to be a big deal. However, poor hygiene can result in serious medical problems.

Conditions of Poor Hygiene

Nursing home residents who wear diapers and other aids for incontinence may be left unattended for extended periods of time. This can leave elderly residents helpless and subject to health concerns. Illnesses are also more prone to spreading throughout a nursing home facility if residents' hygiene is compromised. Poor hygiene can lead to medical problems and even death. The most common side effects of this form of nursing home negligence include:

- Bedsores
- Weight loss
- Physical problems
- Emotional problems

Poor hygiene within a nursing home facility does not just apply to resident care; it can also prevail within the entire facility. For example, bathrooms that are not properly cleaned and sanitized can carry germs that may make elderly residents sick or further complicate an illness. Food that is not correctly prepared can also carry bacteria that can cause residents significant harm. Communal areas that have tables that are not sanitized and kept free of germs can transmit diseases from patient to patient, which can have fatal outcomes.

A quality nursing home should operate as if it were a medical facility. Because of the vulnerability of residents' health, meticulous cleaning and sanitation must be practiced to ensure a safe environment. Nursing home employees should be trained on how to properly sanitize and thoroughly clean all areas of the home, and how to safely dispose of human and medical waste.

Signs of Poor Hygiene

If you are searching for a nursing home in which to place your loved one, as you are inspecting, keep an eye on the cleanliness of the facility. Check to make sure that all areas of the nursing home are clean. Even outdoor common areas should be properly cleaned and hazard-free. Talk to some of the employees and ask to see the kitchen. This will allow you to assess the area where the food is prepared and can give you an idea of the health and safety standards practiced at that particular facility.

You Can Help Prevent It

There is absolutely no excuse for poor hygiene. Sadly, this form of nursing home neglect does exist, and is all too common among even the most reputable facilities. Many residents are not able to speak up about their care, or are afraid of retribution. As a family member, it is your job to investigate and identify any poor hygiene and take the appropriate action.

If you believe poor hygiene or unsanitary nursing home conditions are endangering your family member, please visit the website of the experienced Arizona nursing home abuse attorneys at Cullan & Cullan, M.D., J.D.

Website: http://www.stopnursinghomeabuse.org

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