There can be hidden dangers in Nursing Homes
Although most people expect the best care for their loved ones in a skilled nursing environment, the reality can be quite different. The relevant authorities have received more than 62,700 complaints against nursing home abuse between 2011 and 2015. Over one-third of these complaints were about some degree of harm by staff members of the nursing home according to a recent study by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.
If you are planning to choose a nursing facility for your senior parent, you perform the necessary research since the quality of care is not the same in all nursing homes. Many service providers appear more concerned about their profits than the quality of their services. Nursing home abuse and neglect are key concerns when choosing a reputable nursing home for your loved one. There are instances where seniors have been injured or even killed due to abusive or negligent nursing home staff.
Nursing home patients are not always in a position to speak up for themselves. That is why you need to be aware of some of the common issues experienced by seniors in nursing homes across the country. Here are some of the most common issues experienced by nursing home patients:
. Quality of care – Quality of care issues such as failures or delays in medical care, inadequate monitoring, errors in medication, unsafe transfers to and from bed, call all result in injury, or even the wrongful death of the patient.
. Resident neglect – Nursing home staff neglect or ignore patients by not providing timely incontinent care, sufficient food or drinks or timely care of bedsores. Resident neglect is a big problem in some nursing homes.
. Resident abuse – In-house patients may suffer physical, mental, and sexual abuse by staff members of the agency. Physical abuse is the most easily identifiable type of abuse by nursing home staff. You can often see the symptoms of such abuse such as swelling, bruising, and marks on the body of your loved one. Puncture wounds, lacerations, and bedsores are the other symptoms of abuse. Skin irritation, dehydration, and noticeable weight loss are the other signs of physical abuse in nursing homes. Your loved ones could be malnourished.
Sexual abuse is another type of abuse that has occurred in nursing homes. It involves staff members of the nursing home engaging your loved ones in certain acts that they don’t consent to – such as taking sexual photos, pornography, touching suggestively, forced nudity or sex, and sexual assault. Sexual abuse takes place mostly with patients who suffer from disorders such as Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Emotional or mental abuse is another type of abuse that can occur in nursing homes. Patients are tormented or taunted verbally or non-verbally. Harassment and bullying are forms of psychological abuse – which can result in depression in your loved one. Your loved one may act bewildered or withdrawn frequently due to such emotional abuses.
Why are some nursing homes unsafe for your loved one when you pay so much for their services? The biggest problem with many nursing homes is they do not have adequate staff to address the numerous needs of your loved ones. Many patients in nursing homes suffer from mobility issues, or experience memory or cognition difficulties. Due to these limitations, they often require increased care. A limited, overworked, or perhaps inadequately trained nursing home staff cannot provide that necessary care to all patients.
The Law Office of Gregory E. Price has been winning nursing home abuse cases for many years. You need to act quickly if your loved one is a victim of nursing home abuse. Our team can determine liability and help you file a claim so that you receive the compensation you deserve. Fill out our online request form to schedule a free consultation.
