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The primary cause of amputations for nursing home residents are complications arising from diabetes. However, peripheral artery disease and even bedsores can result in the need for this procedure. For that reason, nursing home residents depend on staff to monitor their conditions and ensure they receive proper treatment. The conduct of nursing home staff should be examined if any of these conditions result in amputation.
The primary cause of amputations for nursing home residents are complications arising from diabetes. However, peripheral artery disease and even bedsores can result in the need for this procedure. For that reason, nursing home residents depend on staff to monitor their conditions and ensure they receive proper treatment. The conduct of nursing home staff should be examined if any of these conditions result in amputation.
Broken bones are the result of too much pressure being put on a bone. When this happens the bone gives way, resulting in either a break or fracture. Elders are more susceptible to these injuries because their bones are more brittle. It is true that a broken bone may sometimes be accidental for an elder in a nursing home. However, if there is no explanation for the injury then this is a sign that abuse or neglect has occurred.
Broken bones are the result of too much pressure being put on a bone. When this happens the bone gives way, resulting in either a break or fracture. Elders are more susceptible to these injuries because their bones are more brittle. It is true that a broken bone may sometimes be accidental for an elder in a nursing home. However, if there is no explanation for the injury then this is a sign that abuse or neglect has occurred.
Bruising occurs when blood vessels under the skin rupture because of a blow to that area. Nursing home residents are especially vulnerable to bruising because as people age their skin becomes thinner and loses a lot of its moisture. These two factors leave blood vessels underneath the skin exposed and more likely to bruise.
Bruising occurs when blood vessels under the skin rupture because of a blow to that area. Nursing home residents are especially vulnerable to bruising because as people age their skin becomes thinner and loses a lot of its moisture. These two factors leave blood vessels underneath the skin exposed and more likely to bruise.
Preventing nursing home residents from choking should not be a difficult task for staff. In most cases, it involves identifying residents with difficulty swallowing food and making the necessary changes to their routine at meals. This may include serving food in a manner that is easier to swallow or using a feeding tube. But most often, preventing chocking only requires spending extra time supervising residents while they eat.
Preventing nursing home residents from choking should not be a difficult task for staff. In most cases, it involves identifying residents with difficulty swallowing food and making the necessary changes to their routine at meals. This may include serving food in a manner that is easier to swallow or using a feeding tube. But most often, preventing chocking only requires spending extra time supervising residents while they eat.
The most common symptoms of “C-Diff” are mild to severe diarrhea and intestinal problems. In particular, C-Diff can cause bowel perforation, toxic megacolon, dehydration, kidney failure and even death. Early symptoms include loss of appetite, fever, blood or pus in the stool, and weight loss.
The most common symptoms of “C-Diff” are mild to severe diarrhea and intestinal problems. In particular, C-Diff can cause bowel perforation, toxic megacolon, dehydration, kidney failure and even death. Early symptoms include loss of appetite, fever, blood or pus in the stool, and weight loss.
Infections like COVID-19 can quickly and easily spread in a nursing home because residents live in close proximity to each other. Typical infection control policies include washing hands, wiping down surfaces, and cleaning dirty equipment. At a minimum, these policies help to eliminate bacteria and are recommended and required by law.
Infections like COVID-19 can quickly and easily spread in a nursing home because residents live in close proximity to each other. Typical infection control policies include washing hands, wiping down surfaces, and cleaning dirty equipment. At a minimum, these policies help to eliminate bacteria and are recommended and required by law.
Sadly, some studies have shown only 5% of nursing home residents receive proper hydration. While the number of dehydrated nursing home residents is itself problematic, the consequences of dehydration is downright scary. For example, dehydrated nursing home residents are susceptible to diarrhea, vomiting, fever, excessive sweating, and even coma. In serious cases death may occur. In fact, dehydration was shown to account for 1,400 deaths of nursing home residents over a four-year period.
Sadly, some studies have shown only 5% of nursing home residents receive proper hydration. While the number of dehydrated nursing home residents is itself problematic, the consequences of dehydration is downright scary. For example, dehydrated nursing home residents are susceptible to diarrhea, vomiting, fever, excessive sweating, and even coma. In serious cases death may occur. In fact, dehydration was shown to account for 1,400 deaths of nursing home residents over a four-year period.
Dementia is not a specific disease, but rather a broad term used to describe the loss of memory and cognitive abilities. Alzheimer’s disease is responsible for 60-80 percent of all cases. Vascular dementia is the result of many small strokes in the brains that lead to cognitive problems and eventually dementia. Nursing home residents deserve extra care and attention no matter what form they suffer from.
Dementia is not a specific disease, but rather a broad term used to describe the loss of memory and cognitive abilities. Alzheimer’s disease is responsible for 60-80 percent of all cases. Vascular dementia is the result of many small strokes in the brains that lead to cognitive problems and eventually dementia. Nursing home residents deserve extra care and attention no matter what form they suffer from.
Diabetes Mellitus refers to a person’s inability to produce the correct amount of insulin to manage the glucose levels in their blood. This condition requires regular monitoring, including constant checking of blood sugar levels, specialized diet, and in many cases medication. Yet, nursing home staff are often too short on time or patience to provide this essential and promised care. As a result, complications from diabetes arise often in nursing home residents.
Diabetes Mellitus refers to a person’s inability to produce the correct amount of insulin to manage the glucose levels in their blood. This condition requires regular monitoring, including constant checking of blood sugar levels, specialized diet, and in many cases medication. Yet, nursing home staff are often too short on time or patience to provide this essential and promised care. As a result, complications from diabetes arise often in nursing home residents.
Unfortunately, many nursing homes fail to properly administer anticoagulation medication to its residents. If nursing home staff fail to use anticoagulants as directed residents could experience blood clots, brain bleeds, internal bleeding, heart attack and stroke. Mismanagement may also increase severity of other injuries and increase the risk of falls. As a result, nursing home staff should take extra precaution with elders that are prescribed anticoagulants.
Unfortunately, many nursing homes fail to properly administer anticoagulation medication to its residents. If nursing home staff fail to use anticoagulants as directed residents could experience blood clots, brain bleeds, internal bleeding, heart attack and stroke. Mismanagement may also increase severity of other injuries and increase the risk of falls. As a result, nursing home staff should take extra precaution with elders that are prescribed anticoagulants.
More than half to three-quarters of nursing home residents will fall each year. This is twice the rate for elderly persons living in their homes. Indeed, these statistics fail to account for the fact that nursing home falls are underreported. On top of all this, more than 1,800 nursing home residents die from fall-related injuries.
More than half to three-quarters of nursing home residents will fall each year. This is twice the rate for elderly persons living in their homes. Indeed, these statistics fail to account for the fact that nursing home falls are underreported. On top of all this, more than 1,800 nursing home residents die from fall-related injuries.
Feeding tubes should be a last resort for patients facing nutritional challenges. Feeding tubes can cause psychological trauma, physical injuries, and even loss of function. For instance, potential complications include aspiration, constipation, diarrhea, fluid or electrolyte imbalance, GI bleeding, hyperglycemia (high blood sugar), hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), nausea, and skin sight irritation. More commonly, tubes can become blocked or displaced resulting in dehydration and starvation. In most situations, proper patient monitoring makes these complications completely avoidable.
Feeding tubes should be a last resort for patients facing nutritional challenges. Feeding tubes can cause psychological trauma, physical injuries, and even loss of function. For instance, potential complications include aspiration, constipation, diarrhea, fluid or electrolyte imbalance, GI bleeding, hyperglycemia (high blood sugar), hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), nausea, and skin sight irritation. More commonly, tubes can become blocked or displaced resulting in dehydration and starvation. In most situations, proper patient monitoring makes these complications completely avoidable.
Nursing homes developed SCUs to cater to the specific needs of residents with dementia. It is true that some SCUs have raised the standard of care for residents, but there have also been problems. For instance, an Alzheimer’s Association study showed that nursing homes failed to disclose extra costs associated with Dementia focused 39% of the time. Similarly, 29% of families did not know if they were paying more for their loved one to live in an SCU. The study also showed that SCUs often concealed material facts from families. Even worse, many SCUs do not provide the care they claim. Often, nursing homes that advertise special care for dementia patients provide the same care as non-dementia patients. All these practices violate state consumer protection statutes.
Nursing homes developed SCUs to cater to the specific needs of residents with dementia. It is true that some SCUs have raised the standard of care for residents, but there have also been problems. For instance, an Alzheimer’s Association study showed that nursing homes failed to disclose extra costs associated with Dementia focused 39% of the time. Similarly, 29% of families did not know if they were paying more for their loved one to live in an SCU. The study also showed that SCUs often concealed material facts from families. Even worse, many SCUs do not provide the care they claim. Often, nursing homes that advertise special care for dementia patients provide the same care as non-dementia patients. All these practices violate state consumer protection statutes.
The law requires every nursing home to produce and implement an Infection Control Program to protect residents. Infections can quickly and easily spread in a nursing home because residents live in close proximity to each other. Typical infection control policies include washing hands, wiping down surfaces, and cleaning dirty equipment. At a minimum, these policies help to eliminate bacteria.
The law requires every nursing home to produce and implement an Infection Control Program to protect residents. Infections can quickly and easily spread in a nursing home because residents live in close proximity to each other. Typical infection control policies include washing hands, wiping down surfaces, and cleaning dirty equipment. At a minimum, these policies help to eliminate bacteria.
While proper nutrition is important for any person, it is essential to an elderly person’s metabolic processes. Thus, nursing homes have a duty to meet certain nutritional standards for all of their residents. Symptoms of malnutrition include weight loss, swollen gums, fragile bones, lethargy, confusion, swollen or bloated abdomen and decreased organ function, and even death.
While proper nutrition is important for any person, it is essential to an elderly person’s metabolic processes. Thus, nursing homes have a duty to meet certain nutritional standards for all of their residents. Symptoms of malnutrition include weight loss, swollen gums, fragile bones, lethargy, confusion, swollen or bloated abdomen and decreased organ function, and even death.
Neglect in a nursing home is defined as any failure by staff to meet the essential needs of a resident. Failure to possess the proper facilities or enough staff to care for a resident does not excuse it. In fact, neglect can be both intentional and unintentional. Intentional neglect occurs when staff purposefully fails to fulfill a resident’s needs. Unintentional neglect occurs when staff forget or fail to recognize the essential needs of a resident. Neither type of is ever excusable.
Neglect in a nursing home is defined as any failure by staff to meet the essential needs of a resident. Failure to possess the proper facilities or enough staff to care for a resident does not excuse it. In fact, neglect can be both intentional and unintentional. Intentional neglect occurs when staff purposefully fails to fulfill a resident’s needs. Unintentional neglect occurs when staff forget or fail to recognize the essential needs of a resident. Neither type of is ever excusable.
Overmedication with antipsychotic drugs is the most common way nursing home residents are medically restrained. Nursing home staff often prescribe these drugs with neither the consent of the resident nor the treating physician. In fact, studies have shown that approximately 17% of nursing home residents receive more than the required dosage of antipsychotics on a daily basis.
Overmedication with antipsychotic drugs is the most common way nursing home residents are medically restrained. Nursing home staff often prescribe these drugs with neither the consent of the resident nor the treating physician. In fact, studies have shown that approximately 17% of nursing home residents receive more than the required dosage of antipsychotics on a daily basis.
Signs of this abuse may not be obvious in many situations, especially to family members. Indeed, the elderly may feel powerless because they are unable to stand up for themselves while caregivers take advantage of their vulnerable state. In fact, most incidents of abuse in nursing homes go unreported out of fear of retaliation while staff members also fail to police one another. However, it does not matter whether the abuse occurs through a cover-up or because an employee turned a blind eye. Put simply, nursing home abuse is unacceptable under any circumstances.
Signs of this abuse may not be obvious in many situations, especially to family members. Indeed, the elderly may feel powerless because they are unable to stand up for themselves while caregivers take advantage of their vulnerable state. In fact, most incidents of abuse in nursing homes go unreported out of fear of retaliation while staff members also fail to police one another. However, it does not matter whether the abuse occurs through a cover-up or because an employee turned a blind eye. Put simply, nursing home abuse is unacceptable under any circumstances.
Unfortunately, nursing homes fail to implement preventative care more often than not. In fact, 1 in 10 nursing home residents in the United States have a bedsore. Elders are often left in their beds for days because staff is “too busy” to check on them or they are too inconvenient to move. There is no excuse for this negligence and it can lead to very serious injuries and even death.
Unfortunately, nursing homes fail to implement preventative care more often than not. In fact, 1 in 10 nursing home residents in the United States have a bedsore. Elders are often left in their beds for days because staff is “too busy” to check on them or they are too inconvenient to move. There is no excuse for this negligence and it can lead to very serious injuries and even death.
One of the most common sources of scalding and burns in nursing homes is when residents are left unattended in the bath or shower. Water heated to 120 degrees can cause 2nd degree burns in 8 minutes and 3rd degree burns in 10 minutes. If water is heated to 150 degrees 2nd degree burns can occur in less than one second and 3rd degree burns may appear shortly thereafter.
One of the most common sources of scalding and burns in nursing homes is when residents are left unattended in the bath or shower. Water heated to 120 degrees can cause 2nd degree burns in 8 minutes and 3rd degree burns in 10 minutes. If water is heated to 150 degrees 2nd degree burns can occur in less than one second and 3rd degree burns may appear shortly thereafter.
Sepsis is the result of the body’s adverse reaction to bacteria or other germs. It is not caused by the infection itself, but the body’s response to chemicals released to fight the infection. Sepsis can lead to septic shock causing a nursing home resident’s blood pressure to drop to deadly levels. Even where it is not deadly, the blood pressure drop can cause damage to vital organs.
Sepsis is the result of the body’s adverse reaction to bacteria or other germs. It is not caused by the infection itself, but the body’s response to chemicals released to fight the infection. Sepsis can lead to septic shock causing a nursing home resident’s blood pressure to drop to deadly levels. Even where it is not deadly, the blood pressure drop can cause damage to vital organs.
The National Center on Elder Abuse defines sexual abuse as “non-consensual sexual contact of any kind with an elderly person” or “[s]exual contact with any person incapable of giving consent.” However, this does not just include physical sexual acts. For example, forcing nursing home residents to view explicit sexual material or remove their clothes can constitute sexual abuse as well. Likewise, non-consensual touching during legitimate activities such as bathing could also fall into the category.
The National Center on Elder Abuse defines sexual abuse as “non-consensual sexual contact of any kind with an elderly person” or “[s]exual contact with any person incapable of giving consent.” However, this does not just include physical sexual acts. For example, forcing nursing home residents to view explicit sexual material or remove their clothes can constitute sexual abuse as well. Likewise, non-consensual touching during legitimate activities such as bathing could also fall into the category.
The law requires that a nursing home exercise due care and necessary precautions to prevent injuries when transporting residents. When nursing homes fail to exercise proper care and take proper precautions when transporting a resident then injuries are likely to occur.
The law requires that a nursing home exercise due care and necessary precautions to prevent injuries when transporting residents. When nursing homes fail to exercise proper care and take proper precautions when transporting a resident then injuries are likely to occur.
UTIs result when bacteria enter the urethra and then the bladder. If not treated quickly, the infection can spread to the kidney. Once a UTI spreads to the kidneys, serious scarring and damage are possible. If the UTI remains untreated it can eventually turn into turn into sepsis – the deadly blood infection – and result in death. For this reason, it is important that nursing home staff identify and treat a UTI swiftly.
UTIs result when bacteria enter the urethra and then the bladder. If not treated quickly, the infection can spread to the kidney. Once a UTI spreads to the kidneys, serious scarring and damage are possible. If the UTI remains untreated it can eventually turn into turn into sepsis – the deadly blood infection – and result in death. For this reason, it is important that nursing home staff identify and treat a UTI swiftly.
Wandering occurs when a cognitively impaired resident moves around the facility without supervision. Under these circumstances, residents can suffer injuries including falls or wandering into a dangerous area. However, proper supervision can eliminate wandering entirely. Unfortunately, too many nursing homes fail to develop a care plan that prevents wandering.
Wandering occurs when a cognitively impaired resident moves around the facility without supervision. Under these circumstances, residents can suffer injuries including falls or wandering into a dangerous area. However, proper supervision can eliminate wandering entirely. Unfortunately, too many nursing homes fail to develop a care plan that prevents wandering.
While nothing can make up for the loss of a loved one, Missouri, Illinois, and Kansas offer remedies for wrongful deaths. For families who have lost a loved one, it is important to know who may bring a lawsuit for wrongful death and what they may recover.