Nursing Home Nightmare

by: Allison Theresa

The decision to become a resident of a nursing home is often involuntary. Injury rehabilitation or overall deteriorating health may force a family to decide to move their loved one to a care facility. Choosing the right fit for the individual is a difficult process that is guided by the base desire for the resident to be happy and healthy. When a loved one becomes a resident of a care facility, a relationship forms on the understanding that the facility will take care of the resident as if they were their own loved one. However, many facilities lack the resources to provide the kind of care they promise.

Nursing Home Negligence

According to Nursing Home Abuse Guide, “more than 40% of nursing home residents have reported abuse, and more than 90% report that they or another resident of the facility have been neglected.” But elders are reluctant to report abuse out of fear of repercussions, embarrassment, or inability to recognize abuse or neglect due to fading mental health. Despite the overwhelming statistics, nursing home negligence continues to be a silent epidemic that can result in a host of dangerous physical injuries.

Bedrail Injuries

Bedrails in nursing homes serve an important function. They give residents a railing to adjust in bed and caretakers a quick form of transportation in emergency situations. But there are few enforced regulations for the safety of bedrails and these helpful features sometimes turn deadly. Elderly patients, especially those who can become confused and panicked, can become trapped between the mattress and bedrail causing injury, suffocation, and even death. Data compiled between 2003 and 2012 show that 150 emergency room visits after becoming trapped in bed rails resulted in death. In a negligent nursing home, bedrail injuries are a serious danger.

Falls

Residents in nursing homes are often suffering from a number of ailments that require specialized care and mobility assistance. In nursing homes where staff is sparse or mobility aids are lacking, residents can be left vulnerable to falls. These falls can result in serious bruising, bone fractures, brain damage, and spinal injuries. For residents sustaining other injuries and ailments, these falls can be life-threatening. Secure railing, available mobility aids, and proper supervision can greatly reduce the risk of falls. But in understaffed or underfunded facilities, these precautions are often lacking and residents are left at risk.

The relationship between nursing home and families should be one built on trust. When a nursing home is negligent, residents are at risk for a host of injuries and life threatening conditions. Protect your loved one by observing the demeanor of the staff, asking your loved one questions, and advocating for your loved one.

If you find a nursing home being negligent and your loved one has sustained injuries, we can help. We represented dozens of cases of nursing home neglect and injuries and we will fight for the rights and dignity of your loved one. Contact Deliso Law today at 718-238-3100 or email at [email protected].