Admitting a loved one to a nursing home is a difficult and emotional decision—you are choosing to put the responsibility of your loved one in someone else’s hands. This transition is made even more difficult when residents are mistreated or neglected while in the care center, breaching the trust between the staff and family members.
Understanding some of the common types of nursing home abuse will help you identify warning signs early on and know when the nursing home can be held responsible, so you can protect your loved one.
What Is Nursing Home Abuse?
Nursing home abuse refers to any intentional or unintentional harm caused to residents in a long-term care facility. This harm can take various forms, including physical, emotional, sexual, or financial abuse, as well as neglect.
Nursing home abuse or neglect typically occurs when caregivers or staff breach the duty of care owed to residents, resulting in pain, suffering, a diminished quality of life, or death. Recognizing and addressing nursing home abuse is crucial to ensure the safety and well-being of our loved ones.
What Are Some Common Nursing Home Abuse Cases?
Knowing more about these common forms of nursing home abuse can help you be more vigilant and understand when you may be able to pursue a case.
1. Choking
Choking is a significant concern among residents with swallowing difficulties, cognitive impairments, or inadequate supervision during meal times. When caregivers fail to properly monitor food intake or provide the necessary dietary adjustments, such as offering soft or pureed foods, the risk of choking increases dramatically.
This often occurs in environments where staff are overworked or undertrained, leaving residents without the attention they need to eat safely.
2. Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
Unfortunately, UTIs are common in nursing home residents who use a catheter, have limited mobility, or don’t receive proper hygiene. UTIs often develop because nursing home staff members fail to regularly bathe residents, fail to maintain and clean catheters properly, or don’t help residents with proper hydration and nutrition.
Left untreated, UTIs can lead to more severe complications, such as kidney infections or even sepsis. As elderly individuals tend to experience extreme and atypical UTI symptoms, it is crucial to seek medical aid immediately when a resident contracts a UTI.
3. Bedsores
Bedsores, also known as pressure ulcers, develop when residents are left in the same position for extended periods without proper movement or repositioning. These painful sores can deteriorate quickly, leading to infection if not treated promptly.
Nursing homes with understaffing or inattentive care may fail to regularly reposition residents or neglect other needs, making immobile residents particularly vulnerable.
4. Slip-and-Fall Accidents
Slip-and-fall injuries are among the most common and preventable accidents in nursing homes. Factors such as improper footwear, cluttered walkways, poorly maintained premises, or insufficient monitoring for high-risk residents all increase the risk of falls.
Without adequate supervision and preventative measures, residents are more likely to suffer broken bones, head injuries, long-term mobility issues, or even death, all of which constitute nursing home abuse cases.
5. Sepsis
Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that often stems from untreated infections, including UTIs, bedsores, or respiratory infections. Residents in nursing homes where staff neglect early signs of infection or fail to maintain clean and hygienic conditions are at a higher risk of developing sepsis.
Prompt medical attention and diligent care are crucial in preventing this dangerous complication, which can have severe or even fatal consequences.
How Can PMP Help My Family?
If someone you care about has experienced any of these conditions or injuries while in a nursing home, you may be able to pursue a nursing home abuse case. Our expert lawyers are more than ready to help you navigate this difficult time by offering premium service:
- Free initial consultation for exploring options
- Personalized advice on a variety of nursing home abuse cases
- Team of expert witnesses and consultants
- Long-held history of successful cases
- Compassion and genuine concern for your situation
Seek Justice and Healing with PMP
Don’t wade through the stress and confusion surrounding nursing home abuse cases alone. PMP is here to help. Schedule your free consultation with one of our lawyers, and get started on your road to recovery.