As people advance in age, they become more susceptible to falls, injuries, and infections. If a family is not in a position to take care of their aged loved one, they might consider taking them to a nursing home. These nursing homes are ideal as they provide a safe environment where the patient can receive round-the-clock care. Unfortunately, some elderly folk fall victim to negligent staff who do not treat them with the required professionalism and respect. Nursing home neglect is a serious issue that can lead to severe injuries or wrongful death of the patient. Here are some of the common injuries in nursing homes caused by neglect.
Bedsores
Bedsores are also known as pressure ulcers and occur when the patient in the nursing home lies in the same position for too long. Research reveals that a whopping 28% of elderly folk who reside in nursing homes suffer from these pressure ulcers. Staff who work in nursing homes must check on their patients and change their sleeping positions to prevent the development of bedsores. A negligent nursing home worker will leave their patient in the same place for hours without checking to see if they are alright.
Bed rail injuries
Bed rails prevent patients from falling out of bed when they turn or try to stand up independently. However, when patients get stuck between the mattress and the bed rail, they might suffer or experience breathing problems. The patient could also suffer a cardiac arrest and die. If the nursing home staff do not regularly check on their patients, they won’t be in a position to intervene and possibly save their life.
Infections
If the staff are not keen enough to keep the infections at bay, they risk exposing elderly folk in nursing homes to diseases like influenza and pneumonia. Experts reveal that diseases take the lives of up to 400,000 nursing home residents every year. Staff who work in nursing homes should disinfect all the surfaces and beddings and make sure the environment is clean and sterile so that infections don’t cause wrongful deaths or suffering.
Concussions
Trauma to the brain due to a severe head injury can lead to a concussion. As people age, it becomes more challenging to maintain balance, making them more likely to fall. There was an unfortunate case where an elderly woman fell eleven times while under the care of negligent nursing home workers in a Hendersonville care facility. The incident led to her developing a concussion and she unfortunately died later due to a cerebral hemorrhage. The incident was considered a wrongful death with the family awarded more than half a million dollars. If you have such a scenario, it would be best to call a nursing home abuse attorney to ensure the care facility is held accountable for any negligence. As you seek an attorney, ensure you do proper due diligence. Look into their track record-make sure you obtain proof of credentials.
Falls
Slips and falls are one of the leading causes of death and injuries in nursing homes today. When negligent nursing home workers fail to supervise elderly folk, they could wander off on their own and fall, breaking their already fragile bones. A slip and fall can result in a spinal cord injury in a worst-case scenario. One time, an elderly man fell into a large mud hole because the staff failed to watch him.
Broken bones and fractures
The odds that an elderly person will fracture or break a bone are very high because they have weaker bones. The most common site of broken bones in the elderly is the hip, which can lead to death within a year of the fracture. Patients could fracture or break their bones when the staff keeps too much clutter in their room that prevents them from moving freely, lift the patient onto their bed carelessly, or fail to help them sit or stand from their wheelchair.
Unnecessary use of restraints
Sometimes, the staff needs to restrain a patient acting too erratic to prevent them from disturbing other patients. However, negligent and abusive staff could restrain a patient unnecessarily, causing them stress and discomfort. The patient could also injure their wrists as they try to free themselves from the restraints. The nurses could also go long periods without checking up on restrained patients, which can be detrimental.
Wrapping up
You can prevent your loved one from undergoing nursing home neglect by selecting a reputable facility with a good track record and making regular visits to ascertain your patient is well taken care of. Take action immediately when you notice signs of nursing home neglect. Escalate your concern to the management. You should also report the case and fight for your loved one’s rights through an experienced nursing home abuse attorney.
