There is no excuse for nursing home abuse, but every year, thousands of seniors die or suffer neglect due to insufficient care. According to the Nursing Home Abuse Guide, there are several causes of nursing home neglect, such as attempts to cut costs, hiring unqualified caregivers, a lack of employee supervision and understaffing. Fortunately, victims and their families may be able to find justice with the help of a personal-injury lawyer.
Elderly abuse is often hard to detect, but the condition of a facility and your loved one’s behavior can provide hints that there is a problem. If you suspect neglect, then you should act immediately.
A Scottsdale personal-injury attorney from the Rudolph & Hammond Law Firm can investigate your case and determine if you may have valid grounds for a lawsuit. Call us today at 480-951-9700 to learn more.
Until then, read on to learn about four common forms of nursing home abuse in Arizona:
- Malnutrition
Nursing home residents often do not want to eat – especially if they are suffering from illnesses. However, a lack of appetite may also be a symptom of depression, which is a side effect of abuse and neglect. Furthermore, many of these institutions fail to provide an adequate and nutritious menu for residents in order to cut costs.
- Bedsores
Bedsores often indicate neglect. Nursing home staff must prevent these by repositioning residents with physical disabilities. This will relieve pressure on certain parts of the body, such as the heel or buttock.
Bedsores range in severity from sore, red and warm marks to the exposure of tendons, bones and muscles. Bedsores are difficult to treat, so it is crucial that the caregiver notices them quickly.
If left untreated, pressure sores can quickly escalate in severity. They usually happen when caregivers leave residents alone in bed for hours or even days.
- Dehydration
In the elderly, dehydration is a common side effect of certain illnesses such as diabetes. It can also result from taking dehydration-causing medications. Dehydration is potentially fatal, and patients often do not know they are suffering from this life-threatening condition.
Dehydration may eventually cause the kidneys to fail, impairing the victim’s ability to excrete toxins from the body. If your loved one shows signs of dehydration, such as headaches or lethargy, then it is vital that the staff monitors his or her fluid intake. This condition typically occurs among the elderly when caregivers do not monitor each resident’s health and needs adequately and individually.
- Mismanagement of Medication
The majority of nursing home residents have to take multiple medicines every day. Because of this, managing everyone’s medication correctly is a mammoth task; however, this is an essential part of running a responsible nursing home.
An effective system involves documenting, organizing and monitoring the administration of medicine and each patient’s dosage requirements. Failing to take these steps can be potentially fatal, or it can contribute to new health problems.
It is important that families stay involved in the care of their elderly loved ones. Be sure to look for strange changes in their behavior, such as anger or depression. Also, be alert for suspicious or non-healing injuries.
The Rudolph & Hammond Law Firm dedicates much of its time to helping elderly abuse victims and their families. If you would like to discuss your situation with a Scottsdale personal-injury attorney, then call our office today at 480-951-9700.