Neglect of Basic Needs in New Mexico Nursing Home Patients

When many people hear the word “abuse,” they often think of only the most extreme forms. The word abuse conjures associations of beatings and other forms of bodily harm, but abuse is not always physical. Although physical abuse is often the easiest form of abuse to recognize, the majority of nursing home negligence or abuse cases do not involve physical injuries. Neglect of basic needs in New Mexico nursing home patients is an all-too-common form of New Mexico nursing home negligence and abuse—but it is often not recognized as it is occurring. That’s why our New Mexico elder abuse lawyers at Carabin Shaw have compiled information on identifying signs of neglect and abuse among nursing home residents, as well as what to do if you suspect that your loved one’s basic needs are not being met in their New Mexico nursing home.

The bare minimum of basic needs that must be met for adults living in nursing homes include the following:

• Adequate food and water
• A safe, comfortable living environment
• Access to personal hygiene items
• Healthcare
• Clean clothing and bedding

If these fundamental, basic needs are not met, numerous physical and emotional problems may arise in nursing home residents, including weight loss, bedsores, cuts and bruises, recurring infections, dental issues, fatigue, frequent illnesses, depression, or emotional withdrawal. This is why neglect of basic needs is considered a form of New Mexico nursing home negligence.

Neglect of basic needs is the most common form of nursing home abuse. The most widespread form of elder abuse in the country is dehydration, followed closely by malnutrition. In fact, one study that monitored the fluid intake of nursing home residents found that almost all residents monitored were inadequately hydrated. Another study revealed that as many as one third of U.S. nursing home residents are suffering from dehydration or malnutrition. What’s worse, dehydration and malnutrition have been proven to worsen many illnesses and medical conditions.

Sadly, abuse is often incredibly difficult to spot, and many elderly individuals who depend on their caregivers are afraid or unwilling to report abuse or neglect. However, there are some symptoms and signs that are often indicators of neglect or malnutrition, including:

• Bedsores
• Weight loss
• Fatigue
• Emotional disturbances
• Personality changes
• Poor hygiene
• Unexplained injuries

If you suspect New Mexico nursing home negligence, the first thing to do is to ensure your loved one’s safety. Afterward, you should contact a nursing home negligence lawyer in New Mexico to discuss your next steps.

When choosing a lawyer, you should look for someone who has extensive experience handling nursing home abuse and neglect cases, as well as a winning track record. It’s also crucial to choose a lawyer with trial experience, just in case your claim ends up in court. Finally, you need to choose an attorney who is someone you can trust.

Here at Carabin Shaw, our attorneys meet all of these criteria and more. Our lawyers have a combined 200 years of legal experience and have been handling nursing home neglect cases for more than two decades. And our law firm was named by the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys as one of the top ten best Texas personal injury firms in 2018 based on client satisfaction.

Finally, we offer all new clients a no cost, no obligation consultation. So call our New Mexico office today at 915-779-2301 to find out what our experienced New Mexico elder abuse lawyers at Carabin Shaw can do for you.