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Recent Blog Posts
Sepsis: A Deadly Threat to Nursing Home Residents
Sepsis is an often-deadly medical condition that can pose serious risks for nursing home residents. In fact, it is estimated that about half of all deaths in nursing homes are due to sepsis. It is important to be aware of the symptoms of sepsis and what steps should be taken if a loved one contracts the infection.
What Is Sepsis?
Put simply, sepsis is an infection in the bloodstream caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. When bacteria enters the bloodstream, it triggers an immune response that causes inflammation and damage to tissues and organs throughout the body. Left untreated, sepsis can lead to organ failure and death. Sepsis can be caused by infections acquired at a hospital or nursing home, but it can also occur as a result of poor hygiene or inadequate sterilization techniques used by nursing home staff. The most common types of infections that can lead to sepsis include those that begin in the lungs, skin, urinary tract, and gastrointestinal tract.
Nursing Home Resident Declared Dead but Found Alive at Funeral Home
A Long Island skilled nursing facility is facing serious criticism and an ongoing investigation after one of its residents was declared dead, only for the 82-year-old woman found to be breathing at a nearby funeral home a few hours later. Currently, there are countless questions that remain unanswered, and there has been no official statement yet from the woman’s family.
A Potentially Tragic Turn of Events
According to reports, the resident was pronounced dead at 11:15 this past Saturday morning at a nursing home in Port Jefferson, New York. Suffolk County police say the woman was transported to a funeral home in the nearby hamlet of Miller Place about two hours later. About 40 minutes after being taken to the funeral home, the woman was found to be breathing by funeral home staff members.
The funeral home staff notified authorities and had the woman transported to a hospital. Updates were not made available regarding her condition. In addition, authorities have not released the woman’s identity. The funeral home issued a statement that said they would not comment further in order to protect the family’s privacy. The nursing home has, thus far, not provided news outlets with any comment whatsoever.
New Legislation Gives Illinois Nursing Homes Two More Years to Increase Staffing
The state of Illinois recently passed an “omnibus” health care bill that will, among other considerations, give nursing homes two more years to meet staffing requirements before being fined by the Department of Public Health. This bill comes at a time when the quality of care for nursing home residents is under heightened scrutiny—and for good reason. Understaffing in nursing homes and assisted living facilities can lead to a host of problems for some of the most vulnerable Illinois residents.
Staffing Concerns Have Lasted Far Too Long
Often abbreviated as “NHCA,” the Illinois Nursing Home Care Act (210 ILCS 45/) sets out specific rules and regulations that long-term care facilities must follow in Illinois. The NHCA states that each facility must provide “adequate” staffing levels in order to ensure the highest quality of care for its residents. In March 2020, the Department of Public Health issued emergency rules that set minimum staffing requirements for nursing homes across the state based on occupancy levels, as well as additional requirements related to infection control and safety protocols.
The Dangers of Medication Errors in Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities
A medication error can happen in any healthcare setting, and nursing homes and assisted living facilities are no exception. When these errors occur, they can cause significant physical and emotional harm to the resident. It is important for family members of those affected to understand what their rights are in the event of a medication error.
If you have a loved one in a nursing home, you should know how medication errors can occur in nursing homes, the types of injuries that may result from them, and what kind of compensation may be available.
How Do Medication Errors Occur?
Medication errors can occur from a variety of causes. Some of the most common include but are not limited to:
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Administering the wrong medication or dosage - If a staff member mixes up the doctor’s orders, a patient could get the wrong medication or the wrong dosage of the right medication. The patient might even miss a dose of their necessary medication.
The Perils of Wandering in Nursing Homes: What You Need to Know
Elopement and wandering are two of the biggest risks facing nursing home residents. While it is often assumed that elderly individuals with dementia or Alzheimer's disease are most likely to wander, any resident can become disoriented or confused and attempt to leave a facility. As such, it is important for facility staff and nursing home administrators to be aware of the risks of elopement and implement measures to protect residents from harm.
Who Is at Risk for Wandering?
Residents who are living with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease are at greatest risk for wandering or eloping from a nursing home facility. Those who have previously attempted to escape or have become lost outside the facility may also be more likely to wander. Additionally, those with vision impairments may be prone to wandering due to difficulty recognizing or understanding their surroundings. It is important for family members and caregivers alike to be aware of these warning signs so they can take steps to address them before it is too late.
Understanding the “Granny Cam” Law in Illinois
In 2015, the Illinois legislature passed a law allowing family members to place cameras in the rooms of their loved ones who reside in nursing homes. This law is commonly referred to as the “Granny Cam” law, and it offers families peace of mind knowing that they can monitor their loved one’s daily activities and ensure that they are receiving quality care. Before you install a granny cam, however, there are several things you should know about how this law works.
Who Can Place a Camera?
Under the Granny Cam law, only certain family members—including the resident’s legal guardian or power of attorney, spouse, adult child, sibling, grandchild, or parent—are allowed to place a camera in a nursing home resident’s room. The family member must also provide notice to the facility before installing a camera and obtain permission from any other roommates residing in the same room. Under the law, a roommate who does not wish for a monitoring device to be installed in their room is to be moved by the facility to another room.
Choking Hazards in Nursing Homes: What You Need to Know
As a family member of a nursing home resident, it is important for you to be aware of the potential choking hazards that exist in these facilities. Nursing home residents are at an increased risk of choking due to age-related issues such as cognitive impairment, dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), and muscle weakness. In addition, nursing homes often serve food items that can increase the risk of choking if not properly monitored. To help protect your loved one from harm, it is essential to understand common causes of choking, as well as prevention methods for reducing risks.
Common Causes of Choking in Nursing Homes
While any food item can pose a choking hazard for elderly individuals, there are some foods that are more likely than others. These include nuts and seeds, hard candy, gum, popcorn, raw vegetables (such as carrots and celery sticks), grapes and cherry tomatoes, raisins and other dried fruits, peanut butter and other sticky substances, and meats that have not been cut into small pieces. It is also important to remember that liquids can also be a choking hazard, as many elderly people cannot swallow thick liquids such as milkshakes or smoothies without assistance.
Staffing Shortages During Holidays Increase Risk of Traumatic Brain Injuries at Nursing
Head injuries are one of the biggest risks for the elderly in long-term care. Elderly individuals are frail and inherently susceptible to falling. It is no wonder people 75 years and older wind up hospitalized as a result of traumatic brain injuries or TBI. In 2019, more than 223,000 people were hospitalized with TBI. This is nursing home abuse that has no place in a facility where residents are supposed to be cared for and protected. If your loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury at a nursing home there are some legal options you should explore.
What is a Traumatic Brain Injury or TBI?
TBI is an injury that affects how the brain works. It is a leading cause of death and disability in the United States. A bump or a blow to the head can cause severe brain injuries that can be temporary or last forever.
What Happens at Nursing Homes that Leads to TBI?
In the nation, one out of five people fall and either breaks their bones or injure their heads. Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries. A fall can lead to health complications related to head injuries that can be serious and sometimes fatal. Even if a resident recovers, their life can be forever changed. Here are some reasons why nursing home residents sustain a TBI:
The Top Signs of Nursing Home Abuse
State and federal laws are designed to protect nursing home residents and assisted living residents from abuse. Unfortunately, protecting residents is easier said than done. Nursing home residents may not be able to say they are abused because they have dementia or are afraid to speak up. Loved ones need to be their advocates.
Nursing home abuse can take many forms, from emotional to physical. If your loved one is spending their last years at a nursing home, they deserve dignity and quality care. More than 1.4 million people are living in nursing homes. This blog will cover how to recognize the signs of physical abuse in a nursing home resident.
Noticing Nursing Home Abuse
Abuse is prevalent in nursing homes because many older people are vulnerable to abuse due to health issues, including conditions causing cognitive impairment. Detecting nursing home abuse may not be easy, but your loved ones are counting on you to be vigilant. Here are some signs that may indicate abuse:
Report Suggests Nursing Home Injuries From Malnutrition and Chemical Restraint
A report from the Human Rights Watch suggests that neglect and isolation caused serious injuries to many people living in nursing homes in recent years. The report claims that many residents did not receive the most basic needs to ensure a decent quality of life. Staffing shortages have been a longstanding issue that have only intensified in recent years. The quality of care diminished even more, exposing troubling trends. If you or a loved one has been abused or neglected at an Illinois nursing home, you have every right to try to ensure that those responsible are held accountable.
Inappropriate Use of Psychotropic Medications
Psychotropic medications are used to treat mental disorders, including depression and anxiety. Unfortunately, some staff members inappropriately use the medications to subdue nursing home residents and keep them sleeping. The misuse of antipsychotic drugs and sedatives to control the behavior of nursing home residents is known as a chemical restraint. What is equally alarming is that this group found that these drugs are administered without obtaining consent from residents or their families. Side effects of the medication included confusion, lethargy, and sleepiness. In more serious cases, misuse of psychotropic medications can lead to death.
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