What is the definition of neglect in an assisted living setting?

Neglect in an assisted living setting is defined as the failure to provide necessary goods and services to avoid harm. This encompasses any actions or omissions that place a resident’s health, safety, or well-being at risk. Residents in assisted living facilities rely on staff to ensure they receive adequate care, nutrition, medical attention, and other essentials that support their daily living and overall welfare.

When these basic needs are not met, whether due to neglectful oversight or a lack of necessary resources, it can lead to serious consequences for the residents, including physical harm, emotional distress, or a decline in their quality of life. This definition underscores the fundamental responsibility of caregivers in such environments to prioritize and address the essential needs of those in their care, ensuring they are protected from potential harm.

In contrast, while leisure activities, resident requests, and staffing levels are important components of providing care in assisted living settings, they do not directly define neglect. Each of those factors plays a role in the overall care experience but does not encompass the critical duty to provide for essential needs to prevent harm, which is the essence of neglect.