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Signs of Elder Abuse
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Medication, diseases and illness make it difficult to detect signs of elder abuse.
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Elder Slip and Fall Injuries in Nursing Homes
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Injury Center, a typical nursing home with 100 beds reports 100 to 200 falls. There are probably more falls that go unreported.
In 2003, 1.5 million people 65 and older lived in nursing homes. As the population continues to age, by 2030 the number will rise to about 3 million. About 5% of adults 65 and older live in nursing homes now, but nursing home residents account for about 20% of deaths from falls in this age group.
As many as 3 out of 4 nursing home residents fall each year which is twice the rate of falls for older adults living in the community. Patients often fall more than once. The average is 2.6 falls per person per year. About 35% of fall injuries occur among residents who cannot walk.
Falling can be a sign of other health problems. People in nursing homes are generally frail with more chronic conditions, may be taking drugs that make them dizzy, and have difficulty walking. They also have problems with thinking or memory, difficulty with activities of daily living, and to need help getting around, all which are linked to falling.
As the writer of this blog, I’m sorry to report that I have personal experience regarding slip and fall injuries in nursing homes. Every day I live with the guilt that my mother had to go to a nursing home. That was her worst fear in life (as is mine) and I feel her two children let her down. She stayed for two long years in a nursing home in the Midwest while her children lived in the South and Southwest.
On a half dozen occasions my mother fell (when they called me) and half the time, they said an aide was in the room with her when it happened. Was the aide’s eyes closed? I always felt helpless and angry. Once my mother broke her ankle, of course, she never got better. She had other health issues that claimed her life but I wish I knew what I know now about nursing homes and nursing home lawsuits.
Nursing home falls frequently occur when a resident is being transferred from a bed to a wheelchair or vice versa. Because of short staffing, the nursing aide attempts the maneuver alone which may cause the resident to fall and be seriously injured.
Please learn from my mistakes – contact a nursing home abuse lawyer and start asking the hard questions. Fight back on behalf of your loved ones.
Reporting Abuse
If you are unsure where to report a case of elder abuse, you can contact an attorney specializing in elder law who can help you with the reporting.
Medicare Eligibility for Nursing Home Care
Medicare will cover nursing home care only if the patient receiving the care needs skilled nursing.
Nursing Home Abuse
Abuse can be physical, emotional, financial and sexual. More ...