Nursing home abuse is one of the most common and tragic threats plaguing the elderly population in America. Families who decide assisted living is the best choice do so trusting that the staff and medical professionals will care for their loved one. Abuse and neglect are the last things you would expect, but unfortunately, one in three residents will experience these — according to ABC News.
Nursing home neglect takes a variety of forms, with some residents experiencing physical harm while others encounter emotional or other types of abuse. One form of physical abuse is neglecting to provide proper treatment for ailments. The following three diseases, if not treated, can develop into sepsis.
Urinary tract infections
UTIs are a common and often neglected ailment that nursing home residents might suffer from. If left untreated, the infection can spread into a patient’s kidney and cause symptoms to worsen. This can also escalate to sepsis if the infection spreads to the blood, and in such cases, it is liable to be deadly. Urosepsis occurs when a UTI develops into sepsis, and it requires emergency treatment.
Bedsores
Bedsores are another common ailment affecting nursing home residents. This ailment can develop if a patient lies too long in a bed without movement. The continual pressure placed on the skin — especially bony areas — can develop into ulcers that are painful and prone to infection. This infection then can develop into sepsis if left untreated or if the wound does not properly heal.
Bacterial infections can lead to sepsis, but so do viruses. Some of the symptoms to watch for include decreased urination, discoloration of the skin, unconsciousness, difficulty breathing and mental instability. If your loved one is in assisted living and is experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to seek medical care right away and get to the root cause of the issues.
