Posted on February 06, 2024 in Neglect

Maintaining good dental hygiene is crucial for overall health and well-being, especially for older adults residing in nursing home facilities. Sadly, neglect and poor care are prevalent concerns in nursing homes, and poor dental hygiene can be an indicator of neglect. If your loved one is suffering from bad dental hygiene in their nursing home and you believe neglect may be to blame, contact an aggressive lawyer in Illinois to pursue the legal remedies that may be available to them at this time.

The Importance of Dental Hygiene in Nursing Homes 

Proper dental care is essential for everyone but becomes even more critical for older adults. Neglecting dental hygiene can lead to various oral health problems, including gum disease, tooth decay, and infections. These issues can cause pain, difficulty eating, and even impact overall health. Nursing homes are responsible for ensuring that residents receive proper dental care to maintain their oral health and quality of life.

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 Posted on January 30, 2024 in Malnutrition

The struggle to maintain a suitable number of staff in nursing facilities has been an issue for many years. When nursing homes are understaffed, the standard of care is likely to plummet leading to resident neglect and as a result additional health concerns and complications. Malnutrition is a very real concern for all residents living in understaffed nursing facilities. If you have a loved one who is being mistreated or neglected in a nursing home, contact an attorney immediately to figure out what can be done.

Why Nursing Homes Are Understaffed

Many would like to blame COVID-19 as the catalyst that has led to a serious drop in nursing facility caretakers. Yes, COVID-19 did have a serious impact on an already problematic nursing shortage. However, the shortage itself started long before COVID-19 was even a thought. Nursing homes have experienced a low staff-to-patient ratio for decades which has led to too overworked staff and a high staff turnover rate. The poor pay combined with an increase in THE cost of living over the years has only worsened the shortage.

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 Posted on January 24, 2024 in Nursing Home Abuse

An unclean nursing home is a form of elder abuse that can lead to poor hygiene and eventual health concerns among patients. Nursing homes and their staff are expected to meet hygiene standards and are obligated to meet the residents’ basic care needs which includes maintaining a sanitary environment. Failure to do so could lead to advanced injuries, illness, and even death in elderly residents. If your loved one is experiencing neglect when it comes to their basic needs or an unsanitary environment in the nursing home, it may be time to invest in a lawyer.

Infections Are A Serious Cause For Concern

Poor hygiene is prevalent in a poorly maintained nursing home which can lead to a rise in deadly infections. Sepsis is a very real possibility for residents in an unclean nursing facility. It is by far one of the worst situations that can occur. It is a life-threatening condition resulting in a reaction from a severe infection that can lead to organ damage and inflammation. It takes longer for the elderly to recover from sepsis if they do at all. Even after a possible recovery, long-term effects may remain, such as a weakened immune system.

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 Posted on January 10, 2024 in Nursing Home Abuse

The last thing you want to worry about is a cherished family member being abused in a nursing home. These are their twilight years and should be spent enjoying peace and comfort. Sadly, harm can come to an elder inside these facilities in several different ways. Mistreatment and being taken advantage of are only some of the problems the elderly may face. For a full spectrum of how very real this problem is or if you have an aged loved one experiencing abuse, contact an attorney immediately.

Physical

The first form of abuse you would likely think of when hearing the word “abuse” is of the physical variety. Physical abuse can include inflicting bodily harm or pain on the elderly resident. This pain may come from being needlessly restrained or even starving. Bruises, cuts, lacerations, or fractured bones are not foreign to the elderly. However, should you notice the injuries seem unlikely to have been caused by an accident, or if the elder shows signs of fear toward certain individuals, it could suggest physical abuse. 

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 Posted on January 04, 2024 in Nursing Home Falls

Nursing home fall injuries can result in serious health risks to elderly patients, including death. Sadly, falls happen far too often as the risk for them inside nursing homes is extremely high. The types of injuries that occur from a fall vary but some are more common than others. With nursing homes being generally understaffed, it is far too difficult to prevent every fall. For fall-related injuries that happen to one of your loved ones, an attorney can provide legal representation during such a trying time.

Causes For Falls in Nursing Homes

Falls occur for several reasons in nursing facilities but some reasons happen far too often. By addressing the following reasons, nursing homes may be able to reduce or eliminate the amount of falls that occur:

• Sedatives

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 Posted on December 28, 2023 in Bed Sores

Falls are a serious concern in nursing homes, often resulting in severe injuries and even fatalities in the most serious of falls. When someone you love lives in a nursing home, it is essential to understand the different types of falls and their legal implications. Contact a lawyer in Illinois if falls are a concern of yours.

What Kinds of Falls Are Taking Place in Nursing Homes? 

• Slips and trip falls – Slip and trip falls occur when a resident slips on a wet surface, trips over an obstacle, or encounters hazards like loose flooring or uneven surfaces. These falls can be caused by negligent maintenance, failure to clean up spills promptly, or inadequate supervision.

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 Posted on December 21, 2023 in Nursing Home Abuse

Wandering and elopement are serious concerns in Illinois nursing homes, especially for residents with cognitive impairments like dementia. These behaviors can lead to various injuries, compromising the safety and well-being of vulnerable individuals. If you have a loved one living in a nursing home who has been injured while wandering or eloping, it is strongly recommended that you hire a lawyer. Your attorney will examine the situation and see whether elements of abuse or neglect created an unsafe situation for your loved one, leading them to injure themselves through wandering and elopement.

Physical Injuries Suffered Through Wandering and Elopement

Wandering and elopement can expose nursing home residents to a range of physical injuries. Residents may trip, slip, or fall while attempting to leave the facility unsupervised, resulting in fractures, head injuries, and bruises. In some cases, residents may encounter hazardous objects or obstacles during their wandering, leading to cuts, bruises, or other injuries. Additionally, wandering outside the facility exposes residents to external dangers, such as traffic accidents or exposure to extreme weather conditions, increasing the risk of severe injuries.

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 Posted on December 14, 2023 in Nursing Home Abuse

Many nursing home residents are vulnerable to a range of life-threatening injuries that directly threaten the health and well-being of residents. We will explore four specific types of injuries that pose the most significant risks to nursing home residents in Illinois. A better understanding of these injuries and the complications surrounding them is important for ensuring the safety of nursing home residents is paramount in their facility. And remember, if you have a loved one who has suffered from a serious injury at a nursing home, contact a lawyer to obtain timely and helpful legal representation

Top Four Serious Injuries Suffered in Nursing Homes

1. Falls and fractures – Falls are a primary concern for older individuals, especially those in nursing homes. The fact of the matter is that as we advance in age, our bones become more brittle and susceptible to fractures. Such injuries, such as hip fractures, can lead to various complications, including infections, blood clots, and decreased mobility. Sadly, even mild falls can lead to severe complications, which makes falls and the resulting fractures serious injuries that can take place in a nursing home.

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 Posted on December 07, 2023 in Nursing Home Abuse

Nursing homes play a vital role in providing care and support to people in later stages of their life. However, when proper fall precautions are not implemented, it can be a sign of potential neglect within the facility. Falls are a serious concern for older adults, often leading to painful, nagging injuries and a decline in overall health. Suppose you have a loved one who was injured in a falling incident at a nursing home or perhaps has fallen more than once at their facility; consider contacting an attorney in Illinois. While some falls occur by accident, other falls may be a sign of a more insidious problem.

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 Posted on November 30, 2023 in Nursing Home Abuse

Breathing tube injuries can have severe consequences for nursing home residents, and their occurrence raises concerns about potential abuse and neglect. If someone you love has been seriously injured by one instance of a breathing tube injury or several instances, it may be worth taking a closer look at. To examine the situation further, consider contacting a dedicated lawyer in Illinois. Your lawyer will uncover the facts of the case and work to bring you and your family answers as to whether abuse and neglect are occurring to your loved one. 

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