Millions of elderly or disabled Americans live in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. In many cases, families make the difficult decision to place a loved one in this type of facility because they cannot provide the needed care. Facilities that have trained doctors and nurses on staff can attend to patients’ medical needs and ensure that they are receiving the proper treatment at all times. Unfortunately, far too many nursing homes fall short of this ideal, and patients can suffer harm due to nursing home negligence. In many cases, nursing home neglect occurs because of inadequate staffing or supervision. Staff members’ failure to properly check on patients and provide them with the necessary care may lead to bedsores. These injuries can be very painful, and they can lead to additional complications that threaten a person’s overall health and well-being.

Stages of Bedsore Injuries

Bedsores are also known as pressure sores or pressure ulcers, and they can occur when a person stays in the same position for too long. Pressure and friction on parts of the body such as the back, shoulders, buttocks, hips, thighs, ankles, or heels can damage the skin or cut off blood supply to the underlying tissue. Bedsores progress through four stages:

• Stage 1 - Mild sores will only affect the top layer of skin, resulting in redness, pain, or itching. When these types of sores are noticed in time, they can be treated by adjusting a person’s position to relieve pressure on the affected area, while also using soft padding. With the correct treatment, stage 1 sores will usually heal within a few days.

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Many elderly Americans need help with their daily activities. While some families are able to provide care for their loved ones, in many cases, nursing homes provide the best option, ensuring that a person will have a place to live and spend time with other people while having their needs attended to by trained staff members. Unfortunately, many elderly patients are victims of nursing home abuse. In some cases, residents will suffer abuse because of inadequate staff training or supervision, while in other situations, a member of a nursing home’s staff may be the perpetrator of physical, verbal, sexual, or financial abuse. Family members should be aware of the warning signs that may indicate that their loved one has experienced abuse.

Potential Signs That a Nursing Home Resident Is Suffering Abuse

Recognizing the signs of nursing home abuse can sometimes be difficult, especially if a patient suffers from dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, or other conditions that may prevent them from telling others about what is happening to them. In some cases, residents may be afraid to discuss these issues out of fear that they will suffer further harm. Family members will want to watch for the following warning signs that may indicate that abuse is occurring:

Decubitus ulcers, more commonly called bedsores, are painful wounds that occur on the skin of individuals with limited mobility. Nursing home residents who are wheelchair-bound or bedridden and those suffering from circulation problems, diabetes, or malnutrition have the highest risk of developing bedsores. Nursing home staff must take steps to prevent bedsores from occurring and properly treat bedsores that do occur. Bedsores that are not properly addressed can develop into deep wounds that may become dangerously infected. In extreme cases, untreated bedsores can lead to fatal complications. If a nursing home’s negligence leads to a resident’s injury or death, the facility may be held accountable through a nursing home injury claim.

Nursing Home Staff Should Take Steps to Prevent Bedsores
Bedsores occur when an area of skin is under pressure for too long. Because blood cannot reach the skin, it begins to die. A bedsore begins as a painful red area. If untreated, the sore becomes worse and worse, developing into an open wound. In extreme cases, the wound may extend into the muscle and bone. Bedsores can lead to serious infections, sepsis, and even death.
There are several steps that nursing home staff can take to prevent bedsores from occurring, including:

Moving a parent, grandparent, or any relative into a nursing home is never an easy task. If you have an elderly or disabled loved one who is staying in a nursing home, you may be worried about the quality of care he or she is receiving. Although many nursing home workers are kind, caring, proficient caregivers, some nursing home staff expose residents to unlawful neglect or even abuse. Research shows that many nursing homes are dangerously understaffed or employ workers who do not have adequate training. This is why it is essential for anyone with a loved one in a nursing home to be vigilant for recognizing signs of nursing home neglect and abuse.

Unexplained Injuries and Preventable Medical Conditions
Most nursing home residents need assistance with daily living tasks like eating meals, showering, and using the restroom as well as managing their medical conditions. Poor hygiene, malnutrition, and dehydration are often red flags of nursing home neglect. Some residents suffer from severe physical disabilities or cognitive incapacitation that make them completely reliant on nursing home staff. Decubitus ulcers or bedsores are an especially serious concern for residents who have reduced mobility. Workers at these long-term care facilities should periodically reposition residents who cannot move about on their own so that bedsores do not develop. If a resident does develop bedsores, it should be immediately addressed so that the wound does not become infected. Frequent bedsores or bedsores that are not adequately treated can be a sign that a resident is being neglected. Unexplained injuries like bruises, scrapes, and fractures may also be a sign of neglect or abuse.