Nursing home residents deserve a professional standard of care. Due to the economics of nursing home ownership and operation a proper level of care is often lacking. Abuse and neglect of seniors in nursing homes can result in physical and emotional injuries and premature death.

What are the signs of nursing home abuse or neglect? Evidence of nursing home negligence or abuse can include: untreated bedsores; ulcers; unexplained fractures; malnutrition; dehydration; bruises and other injuries or unsupervised wandering.

Sadly, deliberate physical mistreatment, such as hitting, slapping, inappropriate use of restraints, shaking, attack by another resident, or improper assistance to or from bed occur too frequently. This kind of abuse, neglect, and humiliation of the vulnerable elderly does not need to happen, and excuses such as lack of staff or insufficient training are no excuse at all. Sometimes one neglect claim handled by a determined lawyer is all it takes to correct the situation. Nursing homes should never be a warehouse for the old but a home where only people who are capable of delivering care and supervision with respect and dignity.