When a Wyoming family places a loved one in a long-term care facility, it is with the expectation he or she will receive quality care and support from the staff. Unfortunately, nursing homes are often understaffed or staffed by individuals who do not care about the well-being of residents. Elder abuse and neglect can lead to patient harm.
There are many different types of elder abuse. Sometimes it is physical, and other times it happens in ways that may not leave any evidence behind. Victims may be unsure of what is happening, or they may feel ashamed and unable to speak out. It also includes neglect of nursing home patients, something that can lead to injuries, falls, malnutrition, lack of medical care, depression and more. Passive neglect is a caregiver’s failure to give the patients in his or her care the necessities of life and other things needed for health and wellness.
Willful deprivation is also a type of elder abuse sometimes seen in Wyoming nursing homes. This happens when the staff or caregiver is aware of the needs of the patient and willfully ignores them. This is inexcusable, and families may notice signs that their loved one is having problems with his or her care.
Elder abuse comes in many different shapes and forms. If a family suspects this is happening with a loved one, they may act on behalf of the patient. A careful examination into the and standard of care and quality of life in the nursing home could reveal if a civil claim is an appropriate course of action.
