The most common sign of nursing home neglect is the presence of pressure ulcers – or as they are more commonly known – bedsores. Bedsores result from unrelieved pressure, friction, poor circulation, and uncomfortable temperature. Loved ones with mobility issues or those confined to their bed are most susceptible to bed sores if nursing home staff fail to take the proper preventative steps.
Unfortunately, many nursing homes fail to implement preventative care. In fact, 1 in 10 nursing home residents in the United States have a bedsore. Elders are 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 serious infection, difficult treatments, and even death.
While bedsores can form anywhere, they most commonly form over bony areas of the body such as ankles, knees and elbows. They are classified based on the depth of soft tissue damage. While Stage I is used to classify new formed wounds, Stage IV wounds are so deep they go to the muscle or bone and can cause serious damage. More than 60,000 people die every year because of bedsore complications according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).
While bedsores are treatable, the best course of action is prevention. This can be as simple as nursing home staff getting a loved one out of bed to walk around or shifting them in their bed or wheelchair. When nursing home staff fail to take these simple preventative steps, the elderly are left to deal with the pain and long lasting consequences. Put simply, bedsores do not typically occur absent serious mistreatment.
Nursing home abuse and negligence claims involve many complex legal and medical issues. Having the right attorney is essential to recovering what you deserve. Our Midwest nursing home abuse law firm will do everything possible to assist you in obtaining the maximum compensation possible. More importantly, our firm will serve as an ally that will give you and your family the respect and compassion it needs. Contact us to protect your family today.
