The Different Types of Negligence That Can Occur in an Assisted Living Facility

Assisted living facilities are notorious for being high-risk places for injury. Because many elderly residents are unable to safely navigate their surroundings on their own, making them susceptible to slipping and falling accidents. Forms of negligence that can occur in an assisted living facility are listed below:

Carelessness: Staff members may be careless in their duties and not properly monitor residents’ safety. For example, they may not keep pathways clear or not properly warn of potential hazards.

Negligent supervision: A caretaker may be negligent in monitoring a resident’s activities and whereabouts, leading to them getting injured by accident. For example, they may let a resident wander off alone or sit in an area where they are likely to fall.

Failure to provide appropriate equipment: Facilities may not have the necessary safety equipment available to prevent accidents, such as walkers or wheelchairs that can help residents stay mobile. In some cases, this may lead to residents being injured when they cannot move around easily due to an accident.

Inattention: Some caretakers may be inattentive and not take proper precautions when interacting with residents. This can include not providing enough support when a resident is struggling or not watching them closely enough when getting up from a seated position.

Failing to train staff properly: Many caretakers lack the necessary training to provide safe care for residents. This leads to mistakes that can cause injury to patients. For example, they may not be aware of the best way to help a resident get up from a seated position which may injure them further.

An assisted living facility can be a wonderful and comfortable place for seniors. Still, it can also be a dangerous place if the caretakers are not attentive to the safety of their residents.

The assisted living facility sector is growing each year. Charleston, SC alone has over 330 facilities. Nationwide, the number of facilities is increasing, and oversight is becoming more complex, leaving much of the responsibility to family members, whistleblowers, and overworked watchdog organizations. Each type of negligence can lead to severe consequences for the residents, including abuse, accidents, and even death. The family and friends of those in an assisted living facility should get to know Charleston assisted living laws and be aware of the signs of neglect.

Physical Neglect: Physical neglect occurs when caretakers fail to provide the residents with adequate food or water or allow them to become too weak. This type of negligence can lead to malnutrition or dehydration, which can, in turn, lead to health problems and even death.

Medical Neglect: Medical neglect occurs when caretakers do not take appropriate action when a resident becomes ill or injured. This can include failing to call a doctor, giving the resident the wrong medication, or refusing to let the resident see a doctor altogether. If a resident suffers from an illness because of medical neglect, they may be unable to recover fully and may even die.

Emotional Neglect: Emotional neglect occurs when caretakers do not show the residents love and affection. This can lead to the residents feeling lonely and abandoned, which can, in turn, cause them to become depressed or suicidal.

No assisted living facility is above reproach. Beyond properly vetting the facility, family and friends should keep open ears and eyes on their loved ones and be aware of any signs of abuse or neglect.