With the nation’s elderly population increasing to an all time high, nursing home neglect is becoming a bigger problem than ever before. More direct care workers are needed to staff the nursing homes and long-term care facilities to keep up with the growing number of residents. Quality employees are in high demand and it is more important than ever to make sure that their working conditions are acceptable. This is a demanding and often thankless job, and unhappy employees can be the beginning of the nursing home neglect cycle.
Unsatisfied Employees can have Fatal Consequences
Direct care workers spend the most time with the nursing home residents. They are responsible for the daily tasks such as feeding, changing, and bathing and are frequently the most under appreciated of the nursing home staff. They often make low hourly wages without benefits and have little say in the actual care of their patients. Many direct care workers feel disrespected by their superiors. This anger is often taken out on the residents through direct abuse or neglect.
By giving these employees significant responsibilities, they will take more pride in their work and abuse and neglect will decrease. Making the direct care workers feel valued will improve overall care. Nursing homes and long-term care facilities need to implement a standard of care with their staff. Knowing exactly what is expected of them will eliminate careless mistakes. Investing in the employees through training and open communication about the care of the residents will make the staff feel more prepared and respected. These policy changes will improve the general work environment of the direct care workers and will hopefully lower the risk of neglect of the residents they care for on a daily basis.
Nursing Home Neglect Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia
If your loved one is currently a resident at a nursing home and you fear that the care they are receiving may be considered negligent or abusive, you should contact a nursing home neglect lawyer for help. Contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation. You may also call for a free consultation at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.
It seems that the drugs are being used as chemical restraints; a way to sedate patients so that they require less attention. As an added “bonus,” the home can end up making a large profit from this practice. Due to medicaid reimbursements, the home is making money on every patient they wrongfully sedate with anti-psychotic drugs.
Two weeks ago, we posted a 
The study gave imipramine, a commonly prescribed antidepressant, to injured lab mice. Researcher, Dr. Jason Huang, associate professor of neurosurgery at the University of Rochester Medical Center and chief of neurosurgery at Highland Hospital in New York, found that the mice treated with imipramine showed 70% more brain cell growth than the mice that were not treated with the drug. In addition to cell growth, the treated mice also displayed, through behavioral testing, improved memory skills. 
First of, if you have any concerns, consult with an experienced attorney as well as appropriate state agencies. Telltale signs of nursing home abuse are the presence of bed sores, also known as pressure ulcers. Bed sores occur when a nursing home patient is left immobile in one position for too long, causing skin in sensitive areas to loose circulation. This causes tissue damage and eventually kills the skin cells. If caught early and treated properly, bed sores can be easily remedied. However, if neglected, a bed sore can progress past stage two, causing serious health problems for affected nursing home residents.
According to the 
The family of a 78 year old Lois McCallister, a patient at the Quadrangle nursing home in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, placed a “nanny cam” in view of their relative after she complained of being punched, slapped, and otherwise abused by the staff members. McCallister, who suffers from dementia, also showed signs of bruising on her left hand and wrist. The “nanny cam” caught a nursing home employee striking McCallister in the face and head. The hidden camera also caught nursing home employees laughing at and mocking the mental condition of McCallister for over 12 minutes, while she stood naked trying to cover her breasts. This is an especially egregious example of how cruel some staff members at nursing homes treat their residents. As a result of these incidents, several members of the staff at the Quadrangle nursing home have been placed under arrest. 
Burlington Woods is a nursing home with 227 long term beds. It is also a for profit, corporately owned and run nursing home. According to the