As nursing home abuse lawyers, it is important that we educate people about what is considered nursing home abuse. We have discussed forms of physical abuse and the signs that a nursing home patient may be a victim of such abuse. However, nursing home patient abuse can take many forms. Negligence is a very common detriment to care quality in nursing homes, and definately a form of nursing home abuse.
Nursing Home Negligence IS Nursing Home Abuse
Neglect is defined as:
–verb (used with object)
1. to pay no attention or too little attention to; disregard or slight
2. to be remiss in the care or treatment of
3. to omit, through indifference or carelessness
4. to fail to carry out or perform (orders, duties, etc
The above definitions accurately describe the kind of negligence that we are talking about; negligence that results in illness, injuries, bedsores, malnutrition, dehydration, isolation, fear, and an all around poor quality of life. Certain standards must be met regarding nutrition, hydration, medication, shelter, hygiene, personal safety, and comfort. When nursing home staff members do not fulfill these obligations to their residents, they are indeed committing a form of nursing home abuse.
Signs of Negligent Care
As a family member of a nursing home resident, it is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of nursing home neglect and abuse. Keep a close watch not only on your loved one, but on the facility in it’s entirety, for the following signs of neglect:
- Unsanitary or hazardous conditions that go without repair (i.e. bed bug or flea infestations, lack of heat, broken railings, doors, or equipment)
- Bed sores
- Soiled bedding that is not immediately changed
- Signs of Malnutrition – anemia, unexplained weight loss, dry scaly skin, confusion or irritability
- Slow reaction time from nursing staff
- Little to no interaction between resident and staff
- Constant sedation
As always, it is imperative to listen to your loved one’s comments and complaints, and follow up with a proper investigation. Neglect can do serious harm to a person already suffering from a debilitating condition.
Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia
If your loved one is a resident at a nursing home or long-term care facility and you believe they may be victims of abuse or neglect, contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation. You may also call for a free consultation at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia. The nursing home abuse lawyers at the Mininno Law Office are dedicated to the fight against nursing home abuse, and to earning victimized patients and families their due compensation.
One way to prevent bed sores from forming is to have a staff that is properly educated. Educational programs about bed sore and pressure ulcer prevention should be made mandatory for all levels of health care providers. They should also be made available for patient families so that they can make sure nursing home staff members are giving their loved ones the care they need and deserve. Patients who have the appropriate mental capacity should also be given instructions so that they can be advocates for their own proper care. 
It is particularly important for loved ones to carefully monitor the staffing of nursing home patients with decreased mental awareness. These patients can be particularly vulnerable to bed sores and pressure ulcers. These nursing home patients have a unique set of circumstances that must be taken into account by caregivers at a long term care facility. A patient with a decreased mental awareness may not have the appropriate level of sensory perception to be aware of the beginning of a pressure ulcer or bed sore. Also, these patients, even if aware, are not always able to verbalize what they are feeling, or take the necessary steps to prevent the bed sores from occurring. 
During litigation, Dr. Kifuji testified (in return for immunity from prosecution) that she had been fooled by the children’s parents, Carolyn and Michael Riley, who lied about symptoms and mental conditions in order to collect federal disability checks for their offsprings’ alleged behavioral and mental disorders. Many questioned why, after indications that the Rileys could be harming their children, Dr. Kifuji didn’t do more to protect the youngsters.
Olivia Cull underwent surgery as a baby that left one side of her heart smaller than the other. She lived her life this way, until she was a senior in high school. Doctors wanted to install a catheter in her heart to prep for the final surgery that would correct the small side of her heart. She was nervous, but her mother reassured her that the catheterization procedure would only take a few hours, and that she had done it many times before. Doctors told the Culls Olivia would be home before dinner. 
The sixth tip nursing home abuse lawyers offer in preventing bedsores and pressure ulcers is to make sure a nursing home patient has proper nutrition. Many nursing home patients do not get proper nutrition because nursing home staff may be poorly trained, over-worked, or may not fully understand how closely nutrition is related to bedsore and pressure ulcers. Although nursing home staff are required by law to know the many ways to prevent a bedsore or a pressure ulcer, many nursing home staff do not get this training or education from the nursing home. This is not acceptable and is just another form of nursing home patient neglect. Nursing home staff must know the reasons for malnutrition. For example, patients may have difficulty feeding themselves, do not enjoy meals, or are taking medications which upset their stomachs. These patients need specific nutrition assessments to ensure that a bedsore or pressure ulcer will not form. 
The fifth tip nursing home abuse lawyers offer in preventing bedsores is to establish a bowel or bladder program for any nursing home patient who may have incontinence. Many patients are incontinent or have other bowel or bladder issues. When a patient is admitted into the nursing home, the staff should assess whether or not the patient has a bowel or bladder problem and design a plan to minimize any potential risk this may pose in developing a pressure ulcer or bedsore. These residents should be on a regular toileting schedule to ensure that those needs are being met on a regular basis. 
Cancer detected early can be treated even without the use of radiation or chemotherapy, which would provide a patient the opportunity to avoid the often debilitating effects of treatment. When cancer is detected late, and damages are suffered, medical malpractice suits are filed.
Family members should directly ask any nursing home staff who are bathing a patient if that staff member has been trained in proper bathing techniques. While the question may seem silly, it is really one of preventive medicine. More importantly, if a nursing home patient has already developed a pressure ulcer or bedsore, any bathing should take place under the guidance of a skilled wound care professional with the necessary experience. A pressure ulcer is an open wound and great care should be taken not to worsen the condition by causing an infection due to improper bathing by a nursing home staff member. If you see this kind of improper care taking place at a long term care facility, nursing home abuse lawyers can help you.