Nursing home abuse or neglect happens when a facility fails to provide proper care, leading to serious harm. In Lakeland, many nursing homes strive to provide quality care, but lapses and neglect still occur. Neglect occurs when staff fail to attend to a resident’s basic needs or safety. An understaffed or poorly trained facility might leave residents unsupervised, ignore call lights, or fail to keep up with hygiene and nutrition. These failures can cause vulnerable seniors to suffer entirely preventable injuries.
Physical abuse by staff or even other residents is another concern. This can include rough handling, inappropriate use of restraints, or outright assault. While less common than neglect, any instance of intentional harm is unacceptable. Whether through negligence or intentional acts, nursing home abuse often results in severe physical injuries and health complications for the elderly. Families need to stay alert for signs of abuse and take action quickly if something seems wrong.