It is impossible to overstate the prevalence of nursing home abuse and neglect across the country. One of the reasons why neglect and abuse is so prevalent in nursing homes is due to the high amount of care that the residents require. Generally speaking, patients are in nursing homes specifically because they need additional assistance that they cannot get with an independent living option and require above-and-beyond levels of care.
In many places, nursing homes are sorely understaffed. This can result in many negative practices, including patients getting bedsores. According to the National Law Review, bedsores should not be happening in nursing homes in the first place and their presence can absolutely signal nursing home neglect.
What causes bedsores?
There are many things that can cause bedsores, but usually it is because of prolonged pressure on certain areas of the body. Sometimes people call bedsores “pressure ulcers” for this reason. Usually they appear on the lower back, heels, hips and tailbone. The presence of bedsores indicates that the person has stayed in a position for far too long without shifting or moving.
The situation becomes worse if the staff is not paying particular care to a patient’s hygiene or bodily needs on a regular basis. The presence of dehydration, malnutrition, moisture and feces or urine exacerbates the situation.
What happens if I see my loved one with bedsores?
If a patient at a nursing home exhibits bedsores, then the nursing home should take immediate measures to treat the bedsore and make sure it does not happen again. This is of paramount importance for patients who may not be able to voice discomfort themselves.
