Florida Injury Lawyer BlogThose who take care of the elderly in homes or Hollywood and South Florida nursing homes can face a number of risks and injuries. At-home caregivers need support and need to be aware of the risks of their job. Those risks include:
Articles Posted in Nursing Home Abuse & Negligence
How Bias Can Lead to Elder and Nursing Home Injuries in Hollywood
Ageism is a form of bias based on age and unfortunately the elderly often bear the brunt of this prejudice. Unfortunately, some people assume the elderly get easily lost or confused and this bias can be very dangerous in a nursing home setting. In some cases, it can even be used to hide Hollywood nursing home abuse and negligence.
Ageism and bias can show up in many ways:
The Cost of Nursing Home Abuse in Hollywood and Florida
When nursing home abuse occurs in Hollywood or Florida and affects your family, of course your first worry is the safety and well-being of your loved one. However, at this difficult time, it is also important to consider the financial impact of the abuse, since you will need financial resources to truly help your family member.
The cost of nursing home abuse may be much higher than many people think. Nursing home abuse costs can include:
Food Poisoning at Nursing Homes
Nursing homes in Hollywood and the rest of Florida are expected to provide quality nutrition as well as a safe environment for residents. Food is an important part of a senior’s well-being, especially since nutritious food can help them thrive the most.
Unfortunately, food poisoning can occur in nursing homes and does happen. Some nursing homes try to save on food costs by purchasing discounted foods and may end up purchasing expired items. In other cases, incorrect staff training, poor maintenance of kitchen areas, or high staff turnover can contribute to poor food handling or food storage, which can lead to food poisoning.
Outbreaks in Nursing Homes
Nursing homes often contain hundreds of residents, and unfortunately this requires careful attention and precaution to prevent outbreaks. When contagions allowed to spread in nursing homes, fatalities can result. Outbreaks in nursing homes of norovirus, the flu, and other communicable diseases can take the lives of patients and can affect staff safety.
There are many things that nursing homes can do to prevent outbreaks:
Violence in Nursing Homes
Nursing homes in Hollywood are supposed to be safe places for those who cannot care for themselves. Unfortunately, abuse and injuries can occur in these environments and while the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) and other agencies are supposed to keep an eye out for violence and dangerous conditions in South Florida nursing homes, abuse and neglect can happen.
Violence is one type of situation which can lead to injuries and even fatalities in nursing homes. Violence in nursing homes can stem from many situations, including:
Elderly Wound Care
As people age, the ability of the body to heal itself becomes less robust. At the same time, elderly people with pre-existing conditions or conditions which limit mobility may be more prone to wounds. For these reasons, it is doubly important for nursing homes to take precautions to treat wounds correctly, to prevent serious complications. When nursing home abuse and neglect occur in Hollywood and other parts of Florida, improper wound care can lead to infections, sepsis, and even fatalities.
Understanding Wounds Sustained by Elderly Residents
Falls and Fractures in the Nursing Home
Nursing home residents often live in care environments because they need extra help with everyday tasks and often need more assistance than in-house help or a family can offer. Mobility issues, Alzheimer’s, and other conditions can make seniors more prone to wandering and falls. Aging and conditions such as osteoporosis can mean a greater susceptibility to fractures and bone breaks. If combined with a living situation which includes nursing home negligence or abuse, Hollywood or South Florida residents can be at great risk.
Why Falls and Fractures Happen
Falls and fractures can occur for any number of reasons in a nursing home. Elderly residents may become disoriented or may have vision or mobility issues which affect balance and movement. In many cases, understaffing can mean residents do not have the support and supervision needed when they attempt to get out of bed or when they walk around.
Inadequate Security at Nursing Homes
Nursing homes need to be safe environments. Sometimes, residents of these homes have Alzheimer’s, dementia, or mental illnesses which can make them behave erratically. In some cases, they may lash out or act of violence. In addition, nursing homes are open environments to other people may enter the home and this it is incumbent upon nursing homes to maintain a safe environment for residents, staff and visitors.
There are many ways that nursing homes can maintain adequate security. These include:
Broken Legs in Nursing Homes: What to Do When a Family Member is Injured
Seniors living in Hollywood nursing homes sometimes have underlying conditions such osteoporosis, autoimmune disorders, and other complications which can make them more susceptible to certain types of injuries or illnesses. For example, patients with osteoporosis or low bone density may experience fractures more frequently. Unfortunately, some nursing homes will insist that any and all fractures are caused by osteoporosis or by reduced bone density when in fact any signs of bone breaks, such as a broken leg, should be seriously considered and investigated thoroughly.
Broken legs in nursing homes can occur for a number of reasons, including fall accidents, physical abuse, poor supervision and other situations which may result in a legal claim. If a broken leg has occurred, you will want to investigate and ask questions to get to the bottom of the situation. You will also want to ensure that the nursing home took appropriate action to help your elderly loved one get the medical attention they need.