Signs of Nursing Home Abuse from Bed Sores

Signs of Nursing Home Abuse from Bed Sores

It is true that elderly individuals fall victim to bedsores more often than other age groups, mainly due to their age, thinner skin, and limited mobility. Indeed, some older individuals have medical conditions, such as diabetes, that make them more prone to bedsores. Proper care can prevent bedsores from occurring under most circumstances, however. If your loved one lives in a nursing home, a care plan along with proper daily care should address all risks of pressure sores.

Bed Sores Can Result From These 6 Signs of Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect

If you notice your loved one suffering from bedsores, it is possible that those sores resulted from one or more of the following types of nursing home abuse or neglect:

1. Inattention to posture and repositioning: The longer your loved one stays in any single position, the more likely he or she will develop a pressure ulcer. The staff should reposition your loved one on a routine basis to protect against pressure ulcers.
2. Malnutrition: Improper nutrition leads to skin breakdown and recurrent bed sores.
3. Dehydration: Like malnutrition, dehydration can cause a breakdown in healthy skin.
4. Weight loss: Tied directly to malnutrition and dehydration is weight loss. A drastic loss of weight causes loss of muscle and fat, which can increase the likelihood of severe bedsores.
5. Incontinence: Urinary or fecal incontinence lead to excess skin moisture, which can play a large role in the creation and exacerbation of pressure ulcers.
6. Increased or decreased skin moisture: If your loved one’s skin is excessively dry or is too wet from sweat, urine or other bodily fluids, his or her skin is more prone to breaking down.

If the nursing home does not respond properly to the appearance of bedsores, your loved one can suffer significant health complications, including amputation and even wrongful death. Do not sit idly by and wait to see what happens. Instead, take action.

Follow These 3 Steps to Protect Your Loved One’s Health

If your loved one lives in a nursing home, take the following steps to protect him or her against bed sores:
– Ask nursing home doctors and staff about their action plan for avoiding and treating bedsores

– Watch for early warning signs, including keeping an eye on signs for the conditions and issues listed above

– Talk to your loved one often about the staff’s level of care

The more you know about and are involved in your loved one’s care, the better equipped you are to respond to the appearance of bedsores or any other medical issue that may arise.

Ask Questions to Learn More

It is possible for a single bed sore to be a sign of nursing home abuse or neglect. Reach out to our dedicated legal team via email or by calling us at (847) 869-9100 to learn more about claims for nursing home neglect and abuse due to pressure sores.