When your elderly family members can no longer care for themselves, you may opt to place them in the care of a nursing home or senior living center, so they can receive the care and support they need. Unfortunately, these services sometimes leave the elderly vulnerable to neglect and health risks. Mount Washington Care Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, provides compassionate care for seniors. Since they want the best for your loved ones as well, they indicate some of the warning signs of nursing home neglect you should watch out for.

Nursing home neglect doesn’t necessarily mean that the service intends to harm their patients. However, negligence, insufficient resources, or a lack of professionalism may lead to foreseeable harm. This neglect may be emotional, social, hygienic, or medical in nature. To keep your loved ones safe, here are a few warning signs to watch for:

• Malnutrition & Weight Loss: Nursing home neglect may violate the basic needs of the elderly, including failing to provide adequate food and water. If a patient appears malnourished or has suddenly lost a lot of weight, there may be a problem at hand.
• Behavioral Changes: Be wary of any abrupt and uncharacteristic changes in behavior. If your family member suddenly withdraws socially or becomes unfriendly towards the nursing home team and other residents, the staff may be culpable. 
• Injuries: The job of a caregiver is to protect the patient from injury or harm. Inadequate supervision, facilities, or treatment may cause injuries to those living in a nursing home.
• Health & Hygiene Issues: Look for bedsores, signs of dehydration, or poor hygiene. All of these indicate neglectful and potentially life-threatening health practices. 
• Hazards: An unsafe environment may indicate a serious issue. Slippery floors, hazardous equipment, and inadequate lighting are just a few signs that the nursing home facilities aren’t up to par.

To keep your loved one safe, happy, and healthy, look out for these warning signs of neglect. Even well-meaning elderly care facilities can risk the health of your loved one. For a five-star rated nursing home you can trust and 24-hour elderly care, choose Mount Washington Care Center in Cincinnati. To learn more, call today at (513) 231-4561 or visit their website.