Advanced Bedsores are Often a Sign of Nursing Home Abuse

Thursday, February 27, 2020

Advanced Bedsores are Often a Sign of Nursing Home Abuse

Written by Malman Law, reviewed by Steve J. Malman.

When you have a family member or a loved one who is living in a nursing home, you probably expect that they are well taken care of and being treated with the dignity and respect that they deserve. Nursing homes are a place for older adults to live in safety and have their medical, physical, and emotional needs met by the professional people who work in the home. Unfortunately, sometimes this is not the case. Nursing home abuse is one of the most devastating forms of elder abuse and often will go without notice for a long time. For this reason, it is important to understand how to recognize signs of abuse. One of the most prevalent signs of nursing home abuse is when a resident of the home has advanced bedsores. 

Why Bedsores Can Be an Indicator of Nursing Home Abuse 

Bedsores, also referred to as pressure sores, are painful ulcers that form on the skin due to staying in one position for a prolonged amount of time. When a person does not move from a position, be it laying down in a bed or sitting in a wheelchair, for an extended amount of time, the pressure of the weight of the body can cause a painful and potentially dangerous sore on the skin. Without proper attention, these sores can become infected, leading to a serious medical situation. 

Bedsores are often an indication of nursing home abuse because they typically occur when a person who is unable to move themselves is ignored by the attendant who was tasked with helping to rotate them. Advanced bedsores, especially, are troubling. These bedsores can take weeks to develop, indicating that the lack of care given to the person living in the nursing home may have been going on for weeks or even months. This is very concerning for those who have trusted the nursing home to take good care of their loved ones. 

If you notice that the person you are visiting in the nursing home has bedsores, ask them about their level of care. If they seem reluctant to give details, it is possible that they have been threatened by their caregiver and are afraid to disclose the abuse they have suffered. This is somewhat common, and by recognizing these signs, you might be able to help protect the victim from experiencing further abuse. 

Call an Experienced Chicago Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Today 

If you believe that a person you love who is in a nursing home is a victim of nursing home abuse due to bedsores, it is advisable to speak with a skilled attorney. Nursing home abuse is all too common, and it can be devastating when you learn that someone who you care about is a victim. At Malman Law, we have helped many clients explore their legal options when they find out that a family member is a victim of nursing home abuse. Call us today to learn more about your legal options and how we can help. To schedule an initial consultation, you can reach us at (312) 629-0099 or contact us online.