Nursing Home Abuse and Bedsores
Nursing home abuse & bedsores. Do they always go together?
Among the many signs and symptoms of physical nursing home abuse, bed sores are one of the most indicative of neglect. They are far too common.
Bed sores go by many names. You may hear them described as decubitus ulcers, pressure sores, or pressure ulcers. These all describe the same injury.
These are sores caused by pressure to the skin that goes unrelieved for a long period of time. Most commonly, these sores appear on parts of the body where bone and skin meet (like the hips, elbows, ankles, and heels).
Those who remain sedentary for long periods of time are susceptible to these sores. That's because they remain in the same position for long periods of time, allowing the pressure to build up on an area, which eventually causes a sore.
When a patient with a lack of mobility is admitted to a nursing home or other facility, they have to evaluate the resident. and they must take reasonable steps to make sure that nursing home abuse and bedsores do not develop.
Too often, they fail.
Why Do Bed Sores Matter?
Bed sores are an issue in nursing home abuse cases because they can lead to serious health problems if they go untreated. Bed sores can be a gateway for infection and other potentially fatal injuries (especially for those who are weak or have compromised immune systems).
They are also important because they help paint a bigger picture of what may be going on inside a nursing home. Bed sores are a sign that someone has not moved in a long time, all-too-often indicating that they are being ignored or neglected.
We have all heard 'where there's smoke, there's fire.' Well, bedsores are the smoke that often indicates a lot more kinds of nursing home abuse.
Addressing bed sores is important to prevent the health issues they may cause, but recognizing the fact that they may mean that there is more neglect or abuse happening is imperative to the life-long well-being of a nursing home resident.
What Should You Do About Nursing Home Abuse and/or Bed Sores?
The best course of action regarding bed sores is prevention. However, this isn’t always an option.
If you do encounter bed sores, the first thing you’ll want to do is treat them. Consult a medical professional to determine the best method of treatment. Treatments vary and depend on the severity of the sores as well as the overall health of the individual. The health and safety of the resident should always be priority #1.
If you or your loved one is a resident at a nursing home or a patient in a medical facility, you should alert staff and the doctor immediately to avoid the open wound becoming infected. Infection is the #1 concern with a serious bedsore.
Once you’ve addressed any and all medical threats, it is time to seek justice.
We urge you to call the Law Office of Scott D. DeSalvo to discuss your options for nursing home negligence and abuse. Our experienced staff has handled countless nursing home abuse cases and understands how to get justice efficiently and effectively. And clients have voted us their favorite injury lawyers to work with and asw "Best Liked Lawyer".
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We send our loved ones to nursing home facilities so that they will be taken care of—not taken advantage of.
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