bedsores

Published on: July 8, 2023

Nursing Home Abuse Prevention Checklist for Families

This June, elder advocate organizations around the country are calling for a focus on the rights of seniors, and the prevention of abuse and neglect involving elderly persons, millions of who live in nursing homes.

On June 15, elder organizations across the world including the World Health Organization at the United Nations will mark World Elder Abuse Awareness Day to raise awareness about the risks of abuse, exploitation and neglect involving seniors. Events and commemorations are being planned for the special day across the world, including the United States where more than 50 million people above the age of 65 currently live. Out of these, close to 1.5 million people live in nursing homes, and a million more live in assisted living facilities.

For families, the decision to place a loved one in a nursing facility or an assisted living facility is never an easy one. It is, unfortunately, the only option available for many people who often find themselves worried and anxious about the safety and care of their loved ones in these facilities. The fact that so many nursing homes in the United States have questionable standards of care at best is definitely a concern for families looking for a facility.

Published on: July 3, 2023

Study Finds Race-Based Differences in Nursing Home Data on Fall Accidents, Bedsores

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

A study published recently finds race -based differences in how nursing homes report fall accidents and pressure ulcers involving residents on their premises. These differences could make it difficult for families of elderly persons looking for reliable nursing homes for their loved ones.

The results of the study were published recently in the JAMA journal. The researchers set out to compare nursing home characteristics with the reporting of bed sores -also known as pressure ulcers – and fall accidents in specific nursing homes. The researchers found to their dismay that the federal website that contains information about specific accidents and injuries in nursing homes actually underreports data on fall accidents and pressure ulcers.

Much of the difference in the reporting also seems to be based on race. Nursing homes that have predominantly white residents are much more likely to report high numbers of fall accidents compared to pressure ulcers, and are also much more likely to report fall accidents more accurately. Similarly, nursing homes with majority black residents are much more likely to report a higher incidence of pressure ulcers compared to fall accidents. Predominantly black facilities are more likely to report pressure ulcers more accurately. Overall, the researchers say the better your reporting on fall accidents, the lesser your likelihood of reporting bed sores.

Published on: January 13, 2019

For-Profit Nursing Homes Reveal the Lowest Care Standards

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Throughout the nation, the population of those age 65 and older continues to rise. In fact, as the baby boomer generation continues to age, it is projected that the number of older people in the U.S. population will be greater than children in just a couple of decades. In Georgia, the population of those 65 and older is projected to constitute over 65% of the state’s population by 2030.

With the rise of the aging population, more and more of these individuals are now living in nursing homes. However, statistics show that many of these residents suffer from poor and neglectful care, and other abuse. Residents of for-profit nursing homes are more likely to be subjected to poorer care standards, compared to residents of non-profit facilities. A new report confirms that for-profit nursing home residents have increasing rates of suffering injuries resulting from neglect than those living in other residential arrangements.

The researchers found that seniors over the age of 60 who lived in private community residences were most likely to be well cared for. They found more signs of neglect among residents of for-profit nursing homes. Some of these cases included serious signs of neglect such as extreme dehydration and stage 3 and stage 4 bedsores. These residents were also more likely to suffer from the effects of mismanagement of their feeding and medication schedules. The neglect also involved malfunctioning or broken feeding tubes, broken catheters and overall mismanagement of chronic health conditions which are prevalent in the nursing home population. Numerous lawsuits are filed nationwide against nursing homes and assisted-living facilities for failure to provide adequate care and safety measures.

Published on: March 24, 2016

Evidence to Gather in a Nursing Home Abuse Claim

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

When a loved one has suffered abuse or neglect in a nursing home, you must step in and ensure that he or she is protected. It is also important to begin the process of filing a claim to recover compensation for the damages that your loved one has suffered.

Holding a nursing home liable for damages is tricky. You must provide evidence that abuse or neglect did occur, and that the facilities conduct resulted in physical or emotional injuries. Basically, when you file a legal claim against a nursing home, you must be able to prove certain key elements, including:

· The nursing home owed a duty of care to your loved one.