Nursing Home Abuse - help and advice

Stop Care Home Negligence

2009-04-21T06:49:00.000-07:00

This ongoing problem our society faces is shocking and detrimental for those involved.

Severe cases of neglect or abuse often crop up in the media that stun our senses and gut wrench our feelings.

Reading the reports is enough to effect us. But what about those directly involved. The victims and their families.

You place your loved ones in care homes because they are vulnerable and need specialist care, more than you can physically or emotionally provide yourself.

Your loved one may be elderly or even disabled. You expect them to be cared for in nursing homes. You certainly do not expect them to become victims of negligence.

How to prevent Care Home Abuse or Neglect

There are certain measures that should be in place. The care home is responsible for making sure all regulations are met at all times. These regulations and standards are set to keep its residents safe.

The regulations are found at www.cqc.org.uk which is the care quality commission.

The Care Quality Commission is the independent regulator of health and social care in England. They make sure everyone receives adequate care this, applies to hospitals, nursing homes, own residence etc..

Their website provides down loadable national minimum standards guidelines.

Some of the basic standards of care that should be implemented.

All residents should be given the correct and sufficient medication.

Food and water should be made sufficiently available.

Residence who need help with personal hygiene should have help readily available.

Health and safety should be applied at all times. The vulnerable should be assisted and extra measures are expected to be in place.

Assisted aids and mobility aids should be used where needed.

Those are just a few of the common sense guidelines that should be met.

If the care home makes sure all the regulations of basic care are met, nursing home negligence and abuse can be avoided.

Care Home Neglect

2009-04-07T13:42:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately care home abuse and negligence is a growing concern.

Being such a sensitive and delicate subject, it is often avoided out of fear or lack of knowledge.

Who does the abuse or negligence effect?

1. The victim, the elderly person or the vulnerable placed in care.

2. The victims relatives

3. Other residents of the care home if the issue is not resolved.

How to spot abuse or negligence

Abuse and negligence are different but both have similar warning signs.

1. Sudden behaviour changes of the person in care.

2. Physical injuries such as, cuts, bruises, black eyes, broken bones etc...

3. Staff at the home refusing to let you see the patient on your own.

4. Lack of food or water

Those are just a few of the warning signs you should look out for.

What to do if you suspect negligence is taking place

Whether you are a relative, concerned friend or a care home worker. Your biggest problem will probably be the fear of getting it wrong.

The problem is though, what if you are right? It is our job to protect the vulnerable.

Even if the victim has had a fall, measures should be in place to prevent falls. Abuse or neglect can come in many forms.

The nursing home will have a system that deals with enquiries. If you feel you would rather not speak to them direct, you can go to a specialist who will look into your concerns confidentially.

Nursing Home Abuse Increasing - CBS News

2008-12-02T13:20:00.000-08:00

CBS has today released a report - Nursing Home Abuse Increasing. The article speaks about the earlier story of Helen Love. I am not permitted to copy the article here, but i thought i would provide a link to it for my blog readers.The news article gives horrific statistics regarding nursing home abuse in the US.

You would think that in a modern world we live in that modern and informative ways of spotting neglect and abuse would prevent such horrific cases as Helen Love. However it does not.

In the UK we are in deep shock over the sheer and utter disgraceful case of Baby P. Although this blog primarily focuses on Nursing Home Abuse, cases such as baby p remind us all of the sad times we live in. It also should make us more aware and alert. We have a duty to protect the vulnerable. If you feel that any abuse or neglect is taking place then you must act before it is too late.

Report Nursing Home Abuse

Suspicious of Care Home Negligence?

2008-11-02T13:03:00.000-08:00

What to do if you think that Nursing Home Abuse is taking place

Whether it is a care home,residential home or other organization where the elderly and vulnerable are residents Negligence and Abuse is serious and should NOT be tolerated.

Many people suffer in silence and it is up to us to speak out on their behalf. Nursing homes and care homes are supposed to adhere to regulations that are laid out for them. Such regulations are in place to ensure the well being and safety of residents.

If you suspect that a person(s) is not receiving the care that they are entitled to then you can get confidential advice

The care home should have a system in place that processes reported concerns. If you are concerned about residents well being then you should contact the care home direct. If you feel that your concerns are not being dealt with accordingly you can ask a law firm to look into things for you.

In my next posts i will discuss how you can make a claim if your loved one has suffered, similar to a personal injury claim.

Bed sores / Pressure sores

2008-10-15T03:59:00.000-07:00

Decubitus Ulcers
Otherwise known as bed sores or pressure sores.

Pressure sores can either be very mild in condition (pink colouration on skin) or very serious in condition (wound that extends through to the bone).

They are usually found on the elbows, spine, tailbone, hips or feet.

If pressure sores are left untreated, over periods of time the wound increases in and goes through to the bone resulting infection. If they are left untreated and antibiotics don't work, amputation may be the only means of saving the patient's life.
If sepsis (blood poisoning) develops then amputation may not be enough and so the patient may die. So what was once a mild condition can develop into something very fatal.

What causes Bed Sores?

Pressure sores are commonly known to come from sources such as:
the friction of bed sheets
weight loss
casts braces
long periods of exposure to cold
bad nutrition
diabetes
poor hygiene
dehydration
Having determined this anyone that is not very mobile and confied to a bed or chair for long periods is at risk.

How to Prevent pressure Sores

Making sure that if anyone is confined to a bed or chair is changed position often

By using items that can help reduce pressure cause by bedsheets

Making sure the patient is eating well-balanced meals

Making sure the patient follows a good skin care routine

Falls in nursing homes

2008-10-15T03:36:00.000-07:00

Falls are a common issue encountered by the elderly in nursing homes. There are many ways why patients may fall in a nursing home.

The patient may not be secured properly into wheelchairs and can easily fall out.

Patients can also be left in beds without rails or safety guards to protect them from a fall.

Other factors could include hazards such as, wet floors, poor lighting, incorrect bed height and general obstacles around the care home.

If anyone suffers a fall then this can lead to lacerations, abrasions, bone fractures, disfigurement and even a head injury all of which could prove fatal to the vulnerable.

How can a fall in a nursing home be prevented ?

As with any accident it can be prevented by ensuring simple steps are taken to ensure the safety and well being of all patients.

These may include:

A risk assessment on each patient and their personal needs, focusing on any weaknesses or vulnerable areas that could make them more susceptible to falls.

Making sure all mobility and other aids are in full working order and kept in an acceptable condition.

Ensure that no obstacles restrict the movement of patients, for example, clutter that a patient my trip on resulting in a fall.

You will agree that all it takes is common sense and health and safety awareness.

What is Abuse?

2008-10-14T05:38:00.000-07:00

There are many forms of abuse from physical to Psychological or Emotional abuse, all of which can be serious and dangerous for the victim.

What would constitute Physical abuse in a Nursing Home?

Physical abuse refers to any physical injury inflicted on an older person by someone who is caring for an elder. This can include sexual assault, food or water deprivation and inappropriate use of physical restraint.

A few things to look out for
As abuse can take place on many levels and be displayed in many forms it can seem difficult to determine the abuse that is taking place. Here are some examples of physical abuse that could take place in a care home

Bruises, black eyes and lacerations
Broken bones and fractures
Burns
Cuts, open wounds, and wounds in different stages of healing
Weight Loss
Sudden changes in behaviour
Nursing home not allowing you to see the old person on your own
Broken Glasses
Signs of restraint

Of course there are many other actions that can be regarded as care home abuse and the above is in no way to be taken as a legal guide however it is to demonstrate just how many levels such treatment can occur.

Care Home Negligence

2008-10-13T07:34:00.000-07:00

If a nursing home falls below a standard of acceptable care that it provides its residents then the safety and welfare of it's residents are at stake. If this happens then Care Home Negligence could be an issue.

If you suspect Nursing Home Negligence then you will have to show that neglect exists.

Some Examples Of Care Home Negligence
Failure to provide food or water or failure to prevent malnutrition or dehydration

Failure to assist in personal hygiene

Failure to provide safe, clean and decent living conditions

Failure to provide adequate treatment and services for incontinent residents

Failure to provide appropriate supervision and assisting devices to prevent accidents.

Failure to provide adequate medical care and acquire and dispense proper medications, as well as failure to ensure that residents are free from serious medication errors.

Failure to prevent a resident from developing pressure sores; or if a resident already has pressure sores, failure to provide proper treatment to promote healing.

Does Nursing Home Abuse Exist?

2008-10-12T06:51:00.000-07:00

Yes unfortunately Nursing Home Abuse Does Exist

According to the 2007 Laing and Buisson survey there are over 420,000 people living in nursing homes, where many elderly patients are the unfortunate victims of nursing home abuse. The figures are rising and you would surprised at what levels abuse is taking place. From neglect in giving patients the proper medication to shocking cases of serious misconduct.

When you make the decision to place your loved ones in the care of others you do so with trust but unfortunately this trust can be broken and it is happening to lots of families. So much so that there are now experts set up to deal with cases of care home abuse.