Neglect in the Nursing Home: A Nursing Essay

This nursing essay tackles one of the most common forms of abuse that is happening in today's nursing homes - the issue of neglect. Neglect in the care of elderly patients in nursing homes is most likely to be overlooked in the overall picture of the problems that we face today such as the state of the economy and employment. However, within the context of caring for the elderly, neglect is an important issue because it results to the decline in health, which eventually results to the death of the elderly individuals under the care of nursing home care institutions.

Neglect can occur anywhere and can happen in many forms. It is done by the caregivers who are assigned to take care of their elderly charges. This is a significant issue worthy of being discussed in a nursing essay because it is fitting that this issue be brought to light. It has already been overlooked and ignored far too long. Even when we visit or formally inspect a nursing home, neglect can easily be hidden because it does not have a tangible proof unlike the neglect of a physical structure such as a building which has clear tell-tale signs. Below are some of the forms of neglect happening in nursing care facilities:

• Basic Needs. The most basic needs of individuals are air, food and water. The first one is free so it is not too difficult to obtain. However, neglect can still occur if the elderly are placed in a facility located in a place which does not have clean air. The latter two cost more and are the most taxing on the nursing care facility's budget. Lack of food and water results to malnutrition and dehydration. An environment which is clean and safe from hazards such as animals, vehicles and noisy establishments are also an essential need for elderly people who are more sensitive in their needs.

• Medical Care. Neglect can occur if the elderly are not given all of their medications, are not given the correct dosage of it or are given the wrong ones. In addition, it is also a common problem in nursing homes for elderly individuals to have pressure sores or bed sores, which result when the individual remains in a seated or reclined position for too long. This is not uncommon because elderly people are less mobile and often have no desire for physical activity especially when they are ill or depressed. Sores should be addressed regularly in order for the individual to continue on being healthy.

This nursing essay has already discussed the nature of circumstances of neglect in the care of the elderly. However, it is still up to policymakers and those who are in the position to change things to stop the issue of neglect in elderly nursing care facilities.