5 Types of Nursing Home Neglect that Can Be Deadly

 Posted on May 13, 2022 in Wrongful Death

Nursing home residents should have access to consistently high-quality care. Unfortunately, not every nursing home provides the standard of care residents need and deserve. Stories of intentional nursing home abuse often make news headlines, but less attention is paid to nursing home neglect.

Nursing home neglect can be extremely dangerous, and in many cases, deadly. Residents who do not receive the medical attention and day-to-day care they need can suffer from new and worsened health concerns that significantly decrease their quality of life. In extreme cases, nursing home neglect is fatal.

Nursing Home Neglect Resulting in a Resident’s Untimely Death

Many people who live in nursing homes are elderly and in poor health. They need help with everyday tasks like eating meals, bathing, using the restroom, and getting in and out of bed. Most residents are also on one or more medications which must be administered regularly. When staff fails to provide the care and attention residents need, they can suffer profoundly. Some are unable to survive the consequences of the neglect. Examples of nursing home neglect that can be fatal include:

• Lack of supervision – Residents who are not monitored can wander off into unsafe areas of the nursing home and hurt themselves. In some cases, residents even wander off the nursing home property where they are at risk of injury or death due to exposure or being struck by a vehicle.
• Medication mistakes – Staff must ensure that residents receive the correct type and dosage of medication. Skipped doses, medication mix-ups, and other medication errors can be deadly.
• Bedsores – When someone cannot move their body on their own, they must be regularly re-positioned to prevent bedsores. Bedsores can become infected and lead to a deadly condition called sepsis.
• Starvation or dehydration – Elderly people and those with serious medical conditions are at especially high risk of malnutrition and dehydration.
• Lack of medical care – When nursing home residents complain of pain or symptoms, staff needs to take these complaints seriously. Ignored medical conditions can quickly deteriorate if not treated promptly. If a nursing home resident’s medical problem is beyond the scope of the nursing home’s abilities, they need to have the resident admitted to the hospital.

Contact a Cook County Nursing Home Neglect Lawyer

Nursing home residents who are not provided the care and medical attention they need can suffer serious injuries or even death. If your loved one was injured or killed by nursing home neglect or abuse, contact Kaiser Law. Our DuPage County personal injury attorneys can help you pursue justice on your loved one’s behalf. Call 630-274-4400 for a free consultation.

Source:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK98786/