Massachusetts Personal Injury Lawyer Blog

Common Nursing Home Injuries: What You Need to Know About Elder Care

If you're thinking about choosing a nursing home for an aging friend or family member, education is your best tool against abuse. Emotions run high regarding the care of a loved one. News reports about the benefits and concerns of nursing home environments often conflict

Learn which injuries are most common and when claims of negligence may apply. These matters are just as important as a facility's staff/patient ratio, location and price.

Natural Effects of Aging, or Elder Abuse? 

There are real dangers facing seniors in care centers. These may, however, be part of the everyday consequences of aging and long-term health issues, compared to when individuals were younger.

For instance, slipping and falling more often may be traced to: 

• Poor muscle tone brought on by a sedentary lifestyle
• Slower reflex action, which diminishes over the years
• Light-headedness in response to medication
• Wet or slick floors that might cause falls in any age group
• Poor grounds maintenance
• Inadequate lighting
• Obstructed walkways

 
Some of these causes are the "fault" of age or the patient's health condition. Some may indicate nursing home negligence. Odds are, accidents will happen to everyone. Injuries such as bone fractures, bed sores, and trauma induced during wandering are the most common results. It helps to be aware of these perpetual risks when admitting a loved one to an elder care facility.

Check out the statistics at the Center for Disease Control to give you an idea of how often others find it necessary to call a nursing home abuse attorney. Having realistic expectations makes selecting a residential care center for your loved one easier.

Elder Abuse: When Should You Report It?

If you suspect that a friend or loved one is the victim of nursing home abuse, what should you do about it? 

Should you call the police? Talk to the staff? Consult a nursing home abuse lawyer? Any or all of these actions may be the answer. However, elderly residents do experience an increased incidence of bodily injury and misplacement of property simply due to their age or the state of their health.

Get tips on how to tell when a report of elder abuse or neglect is warranted.

Signs of Possible Nursing Home Abuse 

When a resident suffers repeat injuries or relates a report of questionable care, assess the physical and mental signs first. These range from common bedsores to withdrawal to missing property.

For a complete description of the warning signs of nursing home abuse, check out this fact sheet from the National Citizen's Coalition for Nursing Home Reform. (If you're planning ahead, see also their publication entitled, "Nursing Homes: Getting Good Care There.")

Complaints of neglect may be legitimate or may be the product of a resident's displeasure at his or her lack of control over life choices. Visiting often and asking the same questions regularly will help you to make the call.

If you notice a sudden change in your loved one's behavior, consulting a professional is a good idea. A doctor can determine if a health issue is the direct cause. A nursing home abuse attorney can give you further direction.

Verified theft or witnessed physical assault may be a matter for police referral. Talking with care center staff is always a practical first step. Management has a stake, and a legal obligation, in preventing harm. If your concerns are not taken seriously, you should definitely consult an attorney to investigate the matter for you.