PRESSURE ULCERS (bedsores)

These can be found on about 25% of nursing home residents, most often because they’ve been left unattended for too long in their bed, a wheelchair, a bathroom or elsewhere. Bedsores usually appear on the buttocks, lower back, ankles, heels or backs of the knees. They may also appear on the elbows, upper back, back of the head or even the ears. They result from prolonged pressure (for as little as two hours,) usually when the skin is pressed between a bone and a bed, wheelchair, cast or other surface. Typically, they start with redness of the skin, and if undetected or untreated may penetrate through the layers of the skin all the way to underlying muscles and bone, and can become infected, perhaps very seriously.

POOR HYGIENE

Your loved one doesn’t look, smell or feel clean. For obvious reasons, this is more prevalent when residents are unable to care for themselves and, when noted earlier, they rarely or never have visitors checking up on their care.

INJURIES

Bruises, pressure marks, broken or fractured bones, abrasions, scratches, burns, a black eye, a bloody nose, ripped clothing, etc.

UNEXPLAINED WITHDRAWAL

from normal activities, a sudden change in alertness, and unusual depression.

SEXUAL ABUSE

Bruises on or around “private parts.” Notice if your loved one acts fearful or pulls back at the appearance of certain staff members or other residents, or if they complain about a certain person bothering them but aren’t specific as to why, as they might be embarrassed to say.

VERBAL ABUSE

Belittling, threats or other uses of power and control by nursing home employees, other residents or visitors (theirs or their roommate’s.)

STRAINED OR TENSE RELATIONSHIPS

Becomes increasingly argumentative, or becomes uncharacteristically withdrawn.

CHANGES (SHORTAGES)

in your loved one’s financial situation, including cash in a wallet, purse or bedside drawer, or funds in a checking or savings account.

MALNUTRITION (a.k.a. UNDERNOURISHMENT)

One out of every six older adults is undernourished, especially those who live in a nursing home. As one elder care specialist explained it: “Under-nutrition may result from eating too little food (i.e., too few calories) or foods that do not contain enough of the needed nutrients, particularly protein, vitamins and minerals…. Residents of nursing homes usually do not get to choose the foods they are served, and cannot get food when they want it. Meals may be served and taken away at specific times, without any consideration of whether a person is hungry. (Or even awake.) Occasionally, residents are neglected—not given the help or the time they need to eat. ‘Hot’ food may be cold when it arrives, or become cold while the resident is waiting for someone to help them eat it. Consequently, they may not eat enough.”

There may also be other reasons; e.g., certain disorders cause symptoms that interfere with a person’s ability to meet nutritional needs.

Or, your loved one may be suffering from malnutrition simply because the food is terrible and he or she would rather starve than eat it! If you can visit during meal times, taste the food yourself and judge it.

FILTHY CONDITIONS

Filth has no place anywhere in a nursing home. It needs to be as clean as possible, for both medical reasons and appearance. If you notice that a loved one’s room and bathroom, the dining hall, the kitchen (if you can gain access) or any other part of the nursing home is not clean, take action. If necessary, report it to the appropriate authorities.

LIGHT-HEADEDNESS; DRY SKIN, EYES OR NASAL MEMBRANES;

A DECREASE IN URINE; DARK URINE; OR A FALL IN BLOOD PRESSURE

Any of these symptoms may be a warning sign of dehydration—not having enough fluid (especially water) in the body. If the condition is not diagnosed and treated, it might even result in death. The relatively simple treatment includes replacing lost fluids with water, dilute broth, or a fluid containing some sodium or other electrolytes.

DIRTY BANDAGES, UNTREATED CUTS OR BRUISES, SCRATCHES, FRACTURED OR BROKEN BONES, ETC.

Dirty dressings and untreated injuries are obviously signs of neglect. Staff members not have examined your loved one often enough and/or have ignored the need for medical care. Fractured or broken bones are common in nursing homes that house older residents, who are often prone to falls and other physical injuries. But they may also be caused by altercations with other residents, staffers or even visitors. If your loved one shows any of these warning signs, identify the cause.

UNUSUAL WEIGHT LOSS

If not due to any the above, this may be the result of not having enough food to eat (a roommate or staffer might be stealing some), loose or missing teeth, poorly fitting dentures, liver failure, lactose intolerance, taking drugs that decrease appetite, cancer, infections, smoking, etc. Perhaps they need help eating, and are reluctant to ask to be fed. Again, if you can visit during a mealtime, check on the quantity and quality of the food being provided, and notice any difficulty in eating.

Leitner Varughese attorneys Brett Leitner and Justin Varughese are among New York State's most recognized and respected leaders in nursing home abuse and negligence litigation, advocating for nursing home victim's rights both in and out of the courtroom. Attorneys Brett Leitner and Justin Varughese have facilitated in the recovery of over $50 MILLION in nursing home verdicts and settlements on behalf of neglected residents and their families, and work tirelessly to be a voice for those victims who cannot speak for themselves.

Leitner Varughese attorneys Brett Leitner and Justin Varughese have successfully handled hundreds of cases involving severe nursing home negligence and mistreatment, many of those involving injuries such as bedsores (pressure sores, decubitus ulcers, pressure ulcers), femur fractures, hip fractures, many with open reduction internal fixation surgery or total hip replacement, aspiration, choking, head injuries such as subdural hematoma or other brain bleed or brain injury; sudden and unexpected death, severe infection such as necrotizing fasciitis from infected feeding tubes, and many other injuries.

Attorneys Brett Leitner and Justin Varughese are recognized as top trial attorneys both in the State of New York and nationally, having been selected to the National Top 100 Trial Lawyers, SuperLawyers, American Academy of Trial Attorneys Premier 100, America's Top 100 Attorneys and Rue Ratings Best Attorneys in America, to name a few.

Attorneys Brett Leitner and Justin Varughese are routinely called upon to handle high-profile and newsworthy cases, many of which have been televised or reported on in national and regional news and media outlets, including the New York Law Journal, the New York Post, the New York Daily News, Channel 7 Eyewitness News, CBS News, Best of Long Island Press, Newsday, News 12 Long Island, Long Island Herald, and FIOS 1, amongst others.

If you, a family member or a friend have been injured due to the neglect of others in a New York nursing home, call Leitner Varughese at (855) LV LAW NY (855-585-2969), or visit our website at http://www.lvlawny.com.

The following is a list of many New York State nursing homes organized by county: NASSAU: A Holly Patterson Extended Care Facility Beach Terrace Care Center Belair Care Center Inc Central Island Healthcare Cold Spring Hills Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation Daleview Care Center Excel at Woodbury for Rehabilitation and Nursing, LLC Fulton Commons Care Center Inc Garden Care Center Glen Cove Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation Glengariff Health Care Center Grace Plaza Nursing and Rehabilitation Center Grandell Rehabilitation and Nursing Center Hempstead Park Nursing Home Highfield Gardens Care Center of Great Neck Long Beach Nursing and Rehabilitation Center Lynbrook Restorative Therapy and Nursing Marquis Rehabilitation & Nursing Center Mayfair Care Center Meadowbrook Care Center, Inc Nassau Rehabilitation & Nursing Center North Shore-Lij Orzac Center for Rehabilitation Northwell Health Stern Family Center for Rehabilitation Oceanside Care Center Inc Park Avenue Extended Care Facility Parkview Care and Rehabilitation Center, Inc. Rockville Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, LLC Sands Point Center for Health and Rehabilitation South Nassau Communities Hospital South Point Plaza Nursing and Rehabilitation Center South Shore Rehabilitation and Nursing Center Sunharbor Manor The Amsterdam at Harborside The Grand Pavilion for Rehab & Nursing at Rockville Centre Townhouse Center for Rehabilitation & Nursing White Oaks Rehabilitation and Nursing Center Woodmere Rehab & Health Care Center, Inc

SUFFOLK

Acadia Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation Affinity Skilled Living and Rehabilitation Center Apex Rehabilitation & Care Center Bellhaven Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing Care Berkshire Nursing & Rehabilitation Center Broadlawn Manor Nursing & Rehab Center Brookhaven Health Care Facility, LLC Brookside Multicare Nursing Center Carillon Nursing and Rehabilitation Center East Neck Nursing & Rehabilitation Center Good Samaritan Nursing Home Gurwin Jewish Nursing and Rehabilitation Center Hilaire Rehab & Nursing Huntington Hills Center for Health and Rehabilitation Island Nursing and Rehab Center Jefferson's Ferry John T Mather Memorial Hospital of Port Jefferson New York Inc Lakeview Rehabilitation and Care Center Long Island State Veterans Home Maria Regina Residence Inc Medford Multicare Center for Living Mills Pond Nursing and Rehabilitation Center Momentum at South Bay for Rehabilitation and Nursing Nesconset Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation Oak Hollow Nursing Center Oasis Rehabilitation and Nursing, LLC Our Lady of Consolation Nursing and Rehabilitative Care Center Peconic Bay Skilled Nursing Facility Peconic Landing at Southold Ross Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation San Simeon BY the Sound Center for Nursing&rehabilitation Sayville Nursing and Rehabilitation Center Smithtown Center for Rehabilitation & Nursing Care St Catherine of Siena Nursing and Rehabilitation Care Center St Johnland Nursing Center, Inc St. James Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center Suffolk Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing Sunrise Manor Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation The Hamptons Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing Waters Edge at Port Jefferson for Rehabilitation and Nursing Westhampton Care Center Woodhaven Nursing Home QUEENS

Beach Gardens Rehab and Nursing Center Beacon Rehabilitation and Nursing Center Bezalel Rehabilitation and Nursing Center Bridge View Nursing Home Brookhaven Rehabilitation & Health Care Center LLC Chapin Home for the Aging Cliffside Rehabilitation & Residential Health Care Center Cypress Garden Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation DRY Harbor Nursing Home Elmhurst Care Center, Inc Fairview Nursing Care Center Inc Far Rockaway Nursing Home Flushing Hospital Medical Center Forest Hills Care Center Forest View Center for Rehabilitation & Nursing Franklin Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing Haven Manor Health Care Center,llc Highland Care Center Hillside Manor Rehab & Extended Care Center Hollis Park Manor Nursing Home Holliswood Center for Rehabilitation and Healthcare Horizon Care Center Jamaica Hospital Medical Center Jamaica Hospital Nursing Home Co Inc Lawrence Nursing Care Center, Inc Little Neck Care Center Long Island Care Center Inc Margaret Tietz Center for Nursing Care Inc Meadow Park Rehabilitation and Health Care Center LLC Midway Nursing Home New Glen Oaks Nursing Home, Inc New Surfside Nursing Home, LLC New York Center for Rehabilitation & Nursing Newyork-Presbyterian/Queens NYS Veterans Home in NYC Oceanview Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, LLC Ozanam Hall of Queens Nursing Home Inc Park Nursing Home Park Terrace Care Center Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care & Rehab Peninsula Nursing and Rehabilitation Center Promenade Rehabilitation and Health Care Center Queen of Peace Residence Queens Boulevard Extended Care Facility Queens Nassau Rehabilitation and Nursing Center Regal Heights Rehabilitation and Health Care Center Rego Park Nursing Home Resort Nursing Home Rockaway Care Center Sapphire Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing of Central Queens, LLC Silvercrest St Marys Hospital for Children Inc The Grand Rehabilitation and Nursing at Queens The Pavilion at Queens for Rehabilitation & Nursing Union Plaza Care Center Waterview Nursing Care Center West Lawrence Care Center, LLC Windsor Park Nursing Home Woodcrest Rehabilitation & Residential Health Care Center., LLC BRONX Bainbridge Nursing & Rehabilitation Center Bay Park Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation, LLC Beth Abraham Health Services Bronx Center for Rehabilitation & Health Care Bronx Gardens Rehabilitation and Nursing Center Bronx Lebanon Special Care Center Bronx Park Rehabilitation & Nursing Center Casa Promesa Concourse Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, Inc East Haven Nursing & Rehabilitation Center Eastchester Rehabilitation and Health Care Center Fieldston Lodge Care Center Fordham Nursing and Rehabilitation Center Gold Crest Care Center Grand Manor Nursing & Rehabilitation Center Hebrew Home for the Aged at Riverdale Hope Center for Hiv and Nursing Care Hudson Pointe at Riverdale Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation Jeanne Jugan Residence Kings Harbor Multicare Center Laconia Nursing Home Manhattanville Health Care Center Methodist Home for Nursing and Rehabilitation Morningside Nursing and Rehabilitation Center Morris Park Nursing Home Mosholu Parkway Nursing & Rehabilitation Center Palisade Nursing Home Company Inc Park Gardens Rehabilitation & Nursing Center LLC Pelham Parkway Nursing Care and Rehabilitation Facility LLC Providence Rest, Inc. Rebekah Rehab and Extended Care Center Regeis Care Center Riverdale Nursing Home Schervier Nursing Care Center Split Rock Rehabilitation and Health Care Center St Patricks Home St Vincent Depaul Residence The Bronx-Lebanon Highbridge Woodycrest Center The Citadel Rehab and Nursing Center at Kingsbridge The Plaza Rehab and Nursing Center Throgs Neck Rehabilitation & Nursing Center Triboro Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing University Nursing Home Wayne Center for Nursing & Rehabilitation Williamsbridge Manor Nursing Home Workmen's Circle Multicare Center BROOKLYN (KINGS) Atrium Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing Bedford Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation Bensonhurst Center for Rehabilitation and Healthcare Boro Park Center for Rehabilitation and Healthcare Brooklyn Center for Rehabilitation and Residential Health Care Brooklyn Gardens Nursing & Rehabilitation Center Brooklyn United Methodist Church Home Brooklyn-Queens Nursing Home Buena Vida Continuing Care & Rehab Center Bushwick Center for Rehabilitation and Health Care Caton Park Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, LLC Center for Nursing & Rehabilitation Inc Cobble Hill Health Center, Inc Concord Nursing Home Inc Crown Heights Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation Ditmas Park Care Center DR Susan Smith Mckinney Nursing and Rehabilitation Center Four Seasons Nursing and Rehabilitation Center Hamilton Park Nursing and Rehabilitation Center Haym Solomon Home for the Aged Hopkins Center for Rehabilitation and Healthcare King David Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation Linden Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation Lutheran Augustana Center for Extended Care & Rehabilitation, Inc Menorah Home & Hospital for Aged & Infirm New Carlton Rehab and Nursing Center, LLC Norwegian Christian Home and Health Center NY Congregational Nursing Center, Inc Oxford Nursing Home Palm Gardens Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation Rutland Nursing Home Co Inc Saints Joachim & Anne Nursing and Rehabilitation Center Schulman and Schachne Institute for Nursing and Rehabilitation Sea Crest Nursing and Rehabilitation Center Seagate Rehabilitation and Nursing Center Sheepshead Nursing & Rehabilitation Center Shore View Nursing & Rehabilitation Center Spring Creek Rehabilitation & Nursing Care Center The Chateau at Brooklyn Rehabilitation and Nursing Center The Heritage Rehabilitation and Health Care Center The Phoenix Rehabilitation and Nursing Center NEW YORK (MANHATTAN) Amsterdam Nursing Home Corp (1992) Coler Rehabilitation and Nursing Care Center Fort Tryon Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing Harlem Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation, LLC Henry J. Carter Skilled Nursing Facility Incarnation Childrens Center Inc Isabella Geriatric Center Inc Mary Manning Walsh Nursing Home Co Inc New East Side Nursing Home New Gouverneur Hospital SNF Northern Manhattan Rehabilitation and Nursing Center St Marys Center Inc Terence Cardinal Cooke Health Care Center The New Jewish Home, Manhattan The Riverside Upper East Side Rehabilitation and Nursing Center Villagecare Rehabilitation and Nursing Center STATEN ISLAND (RICHMOND) Carmel Richmond Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center Clove Lakes Health Care and Rehabilitation Center, Inc Eger Health Care and Rehabilitation Center Golden Gate Rehabilitation & Health Care Center New Vanderbilt Rehabilitation and Care Center, Inc Richmond Center for Rehabilitation and Specialty Healthcare Sea View Hospital, Rehabilitation Center and Home Silver Lake Specialized Rehabilitation and Care Center Staten Island Care Center Verrazano Nursing Home

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

• Alzheimer's and other dementias

• Assaults by staff

If you, a family member or a friend have been injured due to the neglect of others in a New York nursing home, call Leitner Varughese at (855) LV LAW NY (855-585-2969), or visit our website at http://www.lvlawny.com.

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