Bedsores: The Hallmark of Nursing Home Neglect

Monday, October 29, 2012

Bedsores: The Hallmark of Nursing Home Neglect

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

After a lifetime of caring for their families, senior citizens deserve a compassionate facility that will provide a great quality of life. Most people care deeply for elderly loved ones, and want the best possible treatment for them. Fortunately, many nursing homes and retirement facilities employ experienced, well-trained staff to assist our loved ones in daily life. But all too often, our best wishes go unrealized in nursing homes, which can be the sites of some of the most horrific instances of medical malpractice.
If you believe someone you love may be at risk, you should contact an eldercare attorney at Malman Law immediately.

 What Causes Bedsores?

Bedsores or pressure ulcers are among the most common
ailments in nursing homes, and left untreated, they can become harmful or fatal
injuries. Many bed-bound patients are completely unable to move on their own,
leaving them highly susceptible to bedsores.

When a patient is bedridden, they are prone to the most
common causes of bedsores. These include:

Lying
in the same position without proper rotation

• Dehydration
• Malnutrition
• Poor
  hygiene
• Poor
  access to pressure relieving devices such as specialized mattresses

If a nursing home staff member is doing their job correctly,
this common ailment can easily be circumvented. But if proper procedures are
not in place, bedsores can cause irreversible damage.

It’s easy to understand how bedsores can arise without the
proper care. However, this is no defense for nursing homes. They make caring
for the elderly their business, so you should make it your business to contact
a Chicago nursing home lawyer if they’re not holding up their end of the
bargain.

The Law Offices of Malman Law can help. We have thorough
knowledge of elder law in Chicago, and will work as hard as we can to
get you the compensation you deserve. You owe it to your loved ones to get them
the best treatment and defense possible, so give us a call at 1-888-MALMAN-LAW
right now. Consultations are free, and if we don’t collect for you, you owe nothing
in fees. That’s our ZERO fee guarantee.