NURSING HOME ABUSE & NEGLECT

When admitting a loved one to a nursing home, we enter into a sacred trust with the facility and its caretakers. We fully expect that our loved ones will be properly cared for and always treated with dignity and respect. Unfortunately, negligence and outright abuse in nursing homes is far too common. Although many state and federal regulations have been established to protect nursing home residents, gross violations occur every single day tragically compromising the health, well-being, and dignity of some of our society's most vulnerable members.

Nursing homes are required by law to implement a unique, individualized “plan of care” for each resident, specifically tailored to keep our loved ones safe and to maximize physical and mental health. When a facility negligently fails to create or follow such a care plan, the resident is inevitably placed at risk often resulting in significant and sometimes fatal injury. It is well known that with the appropriate care and attention by the nursing home staff, most of these injuries are entirely avoidable.

Nursing home abuse and neglect comes in many different forms. Some of the signs, symptoms, and injuries that come as a result of abuse and neglect are:

· Bed Sores or Pressure Sores (also known as “decubitus ulcers” or “pressure ulcers”)

· Falls resulting in fractures or other serious injury

· Infection or Sepsis

· Head injuries

· Injuries of unknown origin

· Malnutrition or Dehydration

· Medication Errors

· Choking

· Clogged Breathing Tubes

· Physical or Sexual Assault or Abuse

· Physical or Chemical Restraints

· Burns

· Assaults by staff or other residents