As our population ages, more and more of us are faced with the difficult
decision of placing our elderly loved ones in long term care facilities. It is
never easy for families to hand of the care of their elderly to nursing homes
but it is even more gut wrenching when the nursing home doesn’t uphold the
promise to take care of our loved ones.
Often,
nursing home residents can not communicate due to neurological impairment or
dementia. It can be hard to know whether the care is adequate based on
relatively short visits even if you can stop in daily.
How can we be sure that the staff is caring
for our parents, aunts, uncles and grandparents? Here are a five signs you
should look for in order to protect them.
1.
Sudden weight loss
Nursing homes are responsible for maintaining
acceptable nutritional levels. Weight
loss may be a sign of Dehydration and Malnutrition due to the failure of the
staff to monitor food intake. Weight loss can also be a sign of an un-diagnosed
illness such as cancer, kidney disease or gastrointestinal disease.
2.
Bedsores, or pressure ulcers
Many nursing home residents have mobility
limitations. If they are left in bed
without being moved they can develop skin breakdowns that can rapidly
deteriorate. These wounds develop most
commonly on the pressure points such as heels, buttocks and shoulders. If not
properly treated these wounds can become infected and even cause death.
3.
Injuries from nursing home falls
Nursing home residents should be assessed for risk
of falling. Many elderly patients, have
trouble with balance or are simply too weak.
If proper safety measures such as bed rails, skid free footwear, and seat belts are not in place, serious injury can result. Minor bruises,
lacerations, or limited motion can be a sign of a fall and a warning sign that
the resident is at risk for future falls.
4.
Behavioral Changes
Withdrawn elder behavior or unusual changes in
behavior can be a sign of an unhealthy environment. Changes in personal hygiene or appearance
efforts or a growing lack of friendly interaction with the nursing home staff
or residents may be the first signs that a nursing home resident is not
receiving proper care
5.
Environmental hazards
When visiting loved ones it pays to look around
and observe the environment. Poor lighting, slippery floors, unsafe mobility
equipment, or unsafe furniture in the nursing home patient’s room can all be
signs that the nursing home isn’t providing the proper level of care. Cleanliness is also important and dirt,
debris, and clutter are all indications that the nursing home staff are not
keeping up with their duties.
Keeping a watchful eye can help to prevent injury but if injuries from bed
sores, falls, abuse or neglect do occur there is legal recourse.
At the Sanders Firm we fight to protect and
recover compensation for nursing home residents, and their families, when
nursing homes fail to provide proper care.
