When you make the difficult decision to place your loved one in a nursing home, you do so with the expectation that he or she will be treated with the utmost care and compassion. You trust the facility to take care of your loved one as you would if you were the one to care for him or her. And while many nursing homes do a beautiful job of this, unfortunately not all do. In fact, many nursing homes greatly neglect their residents, resulting in mental, emotional, or even physical injuries. One very common type of nursing home neglect that occurs results in bedsores.
What Are Bedsores?
While their name doesn’t sound too bad, bedsores can be extremely painful. They are injuries to the skin that result from pressure being placed on a specific part of the body for a somewhat extended period of time. In other words, bedsores often occur when someone is lying in bed all day (hence the name) and aren’t able to release pressure from certain parts of their bodies. This often occurs when a nursing home is understaffed (or untrained).
They can show up in anywhere from an hour to multiple days. While some will heal from treatment, others will never fully heal. There are many signs of bedsores, such as changes to the color or texture of skin, tenderness or swelling of the skin, or the drainage of pus.
Can Bedsores be Prevented?
It may sound simple, but even just shifting the weight of your loved one’s body can help to prevent them from acquiring bedsores. Additionally, there are cushions and mattresses that are made to relieve pressure. These can help to minimize the occurrence of bedsores. When a nursing home fails to use pressure-relieving mattresses or to shift the position of their residents when they are lying down and they develop bedsores, they can be found guilty of nursing home neglect.
Nursing home neglect can result in horrific injuries to nursing home residents, often making existing conditions even worse. If you believe that your loved one is being neglected at their nursing home, there are things that you can do. It’s in your best interest to consult with a knowledgeable and experienced New Mexico personal injury attorney who can help to explain your options.
MPJ Law Firm Can Help Those in NM Who Have Been the Victim of Nursing Home Neglect
If you or a loved one has been the victim of nursing home neglect or abuse, it can be utterly devastating.
At MPJ Law Firm, we will always act in your best interest and work to help you receive the compensation that you deserve. Even though it can’t make up for what has happened, it can help you to move forward with your life. To learn more or to schedule a free consultation, contact us today!
Posted in: Nursing Home Abuse