Lack Of Cleanliness & Hygiene
Poor Hygiene Is A Form Of Nursing Home Abuse
Serious issues can arise when nursing homes fail to maintain cleanliness among their residents and within their facilities. Germs and bacteria are likely to spread, and nursing home residents are especially vulnerable to infections and other negative effects of poor hygiene, such as bedsores and weight loss. Along with disregarding nursing home residents’ needs for basic personal hygiene, nursing home staff may also fail to properly clean and sanitize toilets, showers, tubs, floors, rooms and common areas, creating breeding grounds for germs to spread.
Types Of Poor Hygiene In Kentucky Nursing Homes
Lack of cleanliness and hygiene is one of the most common forms of nursing home abuse and neglect. Issues associated with poor hygiene are exacerbated by the fact that nursing home residents live in close quarters, and daily activities, such as eating meals and watching television, often take place in groups. Types of poor hygiene in nursing homes include:
- Dirty kitchen areas
- Unsanitary bathrooms
- Unsanitary bedrooms
- Failure to control bugs, rodents and other pests
- Dirty bed linens
- Failure to properly dispose of biological waste
- Failure to properly dispose of medical waste
- Failure to provide other necessary personal hygiene services, such as teeth brushing and bathing
Signs and symptoms of lack of cleanliness and poor hygiene include bedsores, pressure ulcers, infections, rashes, weight loss, foul smells, soiled clothing and emotional problems. For someone with a healthy immune system, a rash or a cold may seem like a minor affliction, but to a nursing home resident, what started as a minor infection can quickly escalate to a life-threatening illness.
Because hygiene problems in nursing homes often go beyond the treatment and cleanliness of the residents themselves, it is important to also check the shower and bathroom a resident uses for signs of uncleanliness. Food preparation areas must be clean as well, and the staff that works with food must meet safety and health standards. Neglecting to sanitize restrooms, kitchens and dining areas can make residents vulnerable to germs and bacteria, just as much as failing to change bed linens and soiled clothing.
Contact Us For Help With Nursing Home Hygiene Issues
Unfortunately, cleanliness and hygiene issues are often just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the level of care a nursing home resident is receiving. If you suspect lack of adequate hygiene in a Lexington area nursing home, please contact O’Brien Batten Kirtley & Coomer, PLLC, to schedule a free initial consultation. We can help you or your loved one obtain the assistance, care and compensation you need and deserve.