(Newswire.net — June 26, 2017) — We live in a very litigious world and the U.S. is the most litigious of all. If you suffer any kind of harm or loss as a result of someone else’s incompetence or negligence, then you could be entitled to compensation. But before I start sounding like one of those late-night TV commercials presented by people who make you think that David Icke was onto something, I’m talking about nursing home injuries in particular.
It seems that there are two types of people who place their loved ones in these homes. There are those who will argue everything and be suspicious of everything, and there are those who will overlook scrapes, potential injuries and other concerns and let the nursing home go unchecked.
I grew up around these homes as my mother worked in them all her working life and many times my makeshift babysitters were carers or patients. I know how loving and caring they can be and I know that the first group of people can be difficult to deal with for genuinely caring workers. But I have seen the reports about care home abuse; I know it can go the other way and I know that the only way to stop it when it does, is to make your voice heard.
The best way to do this is to get a lawyer that specializes in nursing home abuse. And don’t wait before it’s too late. Your loved one doesn’t need to be dead, dying or seriously injured as a result of mistreatment before they can help you. In fact, they might be able to help with more than you think.
When to Get a Lawyer Involved
One of the most common issues that is often overlooked is bedsores. These are typically passed off as minor, something out of the realms of control for the nursing home, but that’s far from the case. Even in people who are bed bound, bedsores can be avoided and can be indicative of a more serious problem.
Also known as “pressure ulcers”, they are caused by constant pressure, often because the person is lying in the same position for extended periods. In most cases, they should be allowed time to stand, walk and generally be active. In all cases they should at least be turned in their beds, or be encouraged to go through periods of sitting, lying flat and being elevated.
Treatment is difficult in the elderly and bedsores can be painful. Nursing homes are well aware of this and should be doing all they can to stop them. If they are not, it can be considered negligence.
Falls and fractures should also be monitored closely. These are common even in nursing homes that are caring and law abiding. They happen, they cause harm and most of the time they heal. What you have to watch out for are falls that go unreported, as it usually means they have something to hide. You should also take note of any serious bruising or breaks. This can be the result of a fall, but it can also indicate that something much more serious has occurred.
It’s not just about the obvious things either. Psychological trauma is common in abusive nursing homes. The majority will treat patients like their own family and as someone who has been in many such homes, it’s great to watch this in action and it’s heartwarming and sad to see how badly it affects them when their patients die. In abusive nursing homes, they may treat the patients with disdain, like caged animals that don’t deserve any respect and are there to be toyed with.
Watch for changes in their weight and their general health. You should know how to detect when your loved ones are not themselves, and you should never be quick to dismiss this as them being in a new environment. Ask questions, see how they respond when the carers are about, and give them a quick check-over.
If the person in the home is suffering from dementia or Alzheimers, they may not be able to coherently tell you about any incidents. But that doesn’t mean that they are the only ones you need to worry about. There have been many reported cases of the elderly suffering from serious abuse and then being too scared to report it. There can also be Stockholm Syndrome or codependent type of behavior at play,
Pay attention to any changes, both physically and mentally. And always be prepared to seek help from professionals if you suspect the worst.