Nursing home injuries come in a few different forms. The sad truth is that the elderly are at risk of being taken advantage of and injured in nursing homes. They often have physical struggles, mental health concerns and other health problems.
Nursing home staff members are meant to take care of the elderly and injured with love and compassion. They should be skilled and have the knowledge needed to support these people who are much in need of help.
What kinds of injuries do they elderly suffer in nursing homes?
There are a few kinds of injuries elders suffer that are common in nursing homes. Falls, bedsores, bruising, infections and malnutrition are just a few of the common injuries seen when the elderly don’t receive the appropriate level of care. These aren’t always injuries that result from abuse or neglect, but there is a likelihood that your loved one is being neglected or abused if falls happen often, bedsores appear or if they’re badly malnourished.
What should you do if you suspect that nursing home abuse is taking place?
The first thing you need to do is to report the potential abuse to the Adult Protective Services. They will begin an investigation to determine if anything unsavory is taking place.
Another thing you can do is to speak with your attorney. Your attorney can be the communicator between you and the nursing home, so you get the right answers to your questions. The nursing home director should be able to give you a plan for how they’re going to deal with anything negative that happens at the facility. If they are unaware of neglect or abuse or do not investigate, then it is important that you know your legal rights.
Nursing homes and assisted-living facilities are required to provide an appropriate standard of care. If they don’t, they can lose federal funding (if they receive it) and may face other difficulties. Those who are concerned about nursing home abuse or neglect need to speak out, because doing so could be the difference between a loved one suffering injuries or being able to move to a safe location.
Your loved one deserves to be treated with love, respect and the standard of care expected by the medical community. There is no excuse for subpar care in a medical setting, and it is your right to make sure that the nursing home pays for its actions.