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Professional nursing homes are expected to meet a certain standard of care in the quality of medical treatment, the activities available to residents, and the overall condition of the facility. Unfortunately, many corporate organizations allow some of these standards to slip, often due to budget cuts and other cost-saving measures. This can lead to unsanitary living conditions in Philadelphia nursing homes.
If you or your elderly loved one is living in an unclean facility, you have options to hold the organization accountable for letting the standards fall. A seasoned nursing home abuse lawyer from Lowenthal & Abrams can help you report your concerns to the proper authorities and file a claim against the facility to recover financial compensation. Our elders deserve to be treated with the dignity and respect they have earned, and that includes living in a clean environment.
What Are The Signs Of an Unsanitary Facility?
The warning signs of an unclean assisted living facility in Philadelphia are subtle and may be hard to notice when seen as an isolated incident. These can include dirt and dust in hallways or rooms, piles of unwashed laundry, unexplained bad odors, and infestations of pests, such as rodents and cockroaches. The lack of sanitation can also manifest in the appearance of elderly residents themselves, such as dirty nails and soiled clothing or bedding.
The danger is even greater when uncleanliness creeps into the medical area. The elderly are already vulnerable to infections, and an unhygienic medical ward with staff who do not practice proper hand washing significantly increases the risk of health problems. This includes issues with the kitchen and the potential for contaminated food.
These issues are typically indicative of broader problems and are often attributed to understaffing and underfunding for supplies. Nursing homes are also businesses, and corporate decision-makers seek ways to cut costs and increase profits. One of the easiest ways for them to do this is to reduce staff and budgets. Unfortunately, this leads to overworked employees who may neglect duties, such as keeping the place clean.
How Families Can Help Their Elderly Loved Ones
Elderly people in Philadelphia may not realize that they are living in substandard conditions at their residential care facility, particularly if they have a medical condition that impairs cognitive function. It is up to their family and loved ones to speak up if they notice anything.
The first thing to do is file a report with the authorities. Public health issues such as this are handled by the Pennsylvania Department of Health and the Philadelphia Health Department. These agencies can conduct their own investigation, order the facility to correct the issues, and impose fines.
Under the Pennsylvania Older Adults Protective Services Act, 35 P.S. § 10225.101 et seq., older adults in care facilities are entitled to protections against neglect and unsafe living conditions. Repeated sanitation violations, ignored complaints, or evidence of chronic understaffing may help establish that a nursing home failed to meet its legal duty of care.
Families and elderly residents can file a legal claim to recover compensation. Generally, this can include the cost for medical treatment, as well as mental pain and suffering. If the poor living conditions caused the resident to lose their life, the surviving family may be able to file a wrongful death claim.
Contact an Attorney If Your Loved One Experienced Unsanitary Living Conditions in a Philadelphia Nursing Home Abuse
Unsanitary living conditions in Philadelphia nursing homes are usually the result of neglect and cost-cutting, but lead to dangerous conditions for residents. A lawyer from Lowenthal & Abrams can help you and your family hold the facility accountable and recover financial compensation.
Your elderly loved ones deserve to live in a clean, comfortable place. Call our team today and talk to one of our attorneys about what you have seen.
