Nursing homes provide a valuable service to our communities. With around-the-clock staff, you hope that your loved one is receiving the skilled care they need at this stage of their life.
But are they getting the required attention to maintain their quality of life? Is your loved one experiencing neglect, which can send their fragile health into a downward spiral?
What are bedsores?
Proper nutrition, skin care, nail care and oral care are essential to an older person’s health. When any one of these is lacking, it can set off a chain reaction. For example, lack of nutrition and hydration can make the skin thinner and more fragile, which increases the risk of bedsores.
Bedsores are areas of the skin and underlying tissue that become injured due to prolonged pressure. They typically develop on bony areas, such as the coccyx, hips and heels. People with limited mobility and who are confined to a bed or wheelchair for an extended period are more likely to develop them. In addition to malnutrition causing the skin to thin, poor skin hygiene is also a factor. Skin wet from urine, feces or other fluids can become irritated and more prone to damage.
Bedsores on their own aren’t proof of neglect. During end-of-life care, when a person’s bodily functions begin to shut down, even repositioning and barrier creams can’t prevent skin breakdown.
However, there are some other factors that, when combined with bedsores, may indicate neglect, such as:
- The wounds are untreated or worsening
- Bedding and clothing look dirty and have an odor
- The individual’s face and hands aren’t clean, indicating a lack of care
- Unexplained weight loss, which can indicate malnutrition
- Understaffing in the facility or frequent staff turnovers may suggest that caregivers are overburdened and are unable to provide the elderly with the attention they need
If you believe that your loved one is being neglected, you should address your concerns with the nursing home administrator. Document your observations and request a follow-up. Visit your loved one frequently and look for signs of improvement in their condition. If you don’t see an improvement in your loved one’s condition, you should start planning to move them to another facility. Contact the local ombudsman and the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) and file a report.
Many times, the elderly can’t advocate for themselves. Therefore, you must be their voice. To ensure they get the care they need, pursuing a personal injury lawsuit against the nursing home may be necessary.