Nursing Home Abuse

Nursing homes and other elder care facilities are meant to provide for the needs of elderly individuals who can no longer care for themselves. Unfortunately, staff members and other residents can neglect or abuse a resident instead of looking out for that person’s health and best interests. Nursing home abuse and elder abuse are an ongoing problem throughout Texas and the rest of the nation.

If you have a loved one in a nursing home and suspect that he or she suffering abuse, then you may be able to file a claim against the negligent facility or staff member with help from an attorney. The first step in this process is to know what signs may be pointing to abuse or neglect in a nursing home.

Abused and neglected nursing home residents can show signs of abuse in a number of ways. Some of the most common signs of nursing home abuse include:

• Unexplained bruises or injuries
• Sudden weight loss or weight gain
• Constant illness
• Bedsores
• Infections
• Fatigue
• Depression, fear, and emotional trauma

Nursing home residents who are neglected can suffer from different types of serious illnesses and personal injury. Many residents are unable to sit up, stand, use a wheelchair, or walk on their own. If staff members neglect these individuals and leave them lying in bed or sitting in a wheelchair for too long without adjusting their position, bedsores are highly likely to result. These pressure ulcers do not heal easily and are prone to serious infection. Untreated injuries, such as bedsores, cuts, and scrapes can also lead to life-threatening infections if not properly treated.

Neglected nursing home residents can also suffer from malnutrition and dehydration. Residents depend on the staff members and the facility to provide them with food and, in some cases, to make sure the resident eats and drinks enough. Elderly individuals can suffer from mental health issues that cause them to forget to eat or to think that they have eaten enough when they have not. It is the staff members’ duty to make sure that a resident is given nutritious and regular meals, and that the resident eats enough to stay healthy and stays hydrated.

Other serious injuries and illnesses that are common in nursing homes are broken bones. If left unsupervised, elderly individuals can slip and fall and sustain a broken hip, broken arm or wrist, or a severe head injury. Wandering inside or outside of a nursing home can result in injuries as well as illness from exposure. Poor supervision or assistance of nursing home residents can lead to such injuries.

Medication errors can also cause serious internal injuries, illnesses, or infections. Untreated side effects and adverse reactions to certain medications could cause a number of conditions and adverse reactions, including:

• Stroke
• Heart attack
• Anemia
• Blood pressure problems
• Blood sugar problems

Elderly individuals are often placed on multiple medications. Unless a doctor is careful to pair medications that are not harmful when taken together and makes sure to monitor the resident’s reaction to the medications, serious illness or wrongful death could result.

Is your elderly loved one showing signs of neglect or abuse? Has he or she suffered from a serious or unexplained injury or illness? Melendez Law Firm has a proven record of success in all types of personal injury cases. We work tirelessly on each case in order to get the results that our clients need.

Our legal team is always trial ready, and we are members of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association and of the Civil Litigation Section of the State Bar of Texas. Contact our firm as soon as possible to request a free case evaluation with an attorney!