For anyone with a loved one in a nursing home, we have all experienced this unfortunate incident. These plaguing occurrences are known as nursing home abuse and neglect. Many want to believe their loved ones are in good hands at these nursing homes. However, that is not always the case.
Many patients in nursing homes have suffered neglect of medical care, social and emotional neglect, neglect of personal hygiene, the list goes on and on. But what are the most common injuries associated with these patterns of neglect? Here is a list of them that you need to know for your loved one's sake.
Spreading Infections
According to the CDC, 1-3 million infections occur every year at nursing homes. The coronavirus pandemic is spreading right now throughout many facilities. When staff members of a nursing home fail to take the necessary precautions to protect your loved ones from these infections, they should be held accountable. They should be administering daily disinfection of the facility to reduce the spread of any respiratory conditions such as Covid-19. They must also assist residents to wash their hands. Elderly people are the most at risk of dying from this disease and it is the facility's responsibility to protect your loved one from this.
Falls and Fractures
Falls are the leading causes of nursing home injuries among residents over the age of 65. If a resident fails to prevent your loved one from doing this, this is another occurrence of neglect. Falls could lead to fractured bones, concussions, and even death. There have been many elderly residents who have died days after suffering these incidents and staff members have done nothing. It should be their responsibility to prevent these incidents so that they don't lead to tragedy.
Spinal Injuries
Another common injury suffered by many is spinal cord injuries. Injuries that affect the spinal cord are normally caused by falls, limiting the person's mobility. These injuries could vary depending on what part of the spine has been the most damaged. If a staff member is not properly treating your loved one's condition, this is seen as medical neglect.
Bedsores
Bedsores are common within nursing homes and these injuries occur when a resident has been laying in the same spot for a long time. These injuries could cause skin damage, necrosis, and infections. This could be a serious problem for bedridden residents. That is why it's the staff member's responsibility to properly check on them or apply proper treatments.
Residents are getting injured in nursing homes throughout America. All of this commonly stems from the neglect and abuse by the staff members at these facilities. Our team at Smiley & Smiley LLP Attorneys at Law has investigated dozens of claims involving nursing home abuse and neglect. For more information about our firm and your rights concerning nursing home abuse and neglect, please contact us today.