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January 31, 2011

Washington DC Nursing Home Neglect Can Cause Bedsores

Our Washington DC nursing home abuse and neglect lawyers represent patients who have suffered serious illnesses and injuries at assisted living facilities. Unfortunately, one condition that we see and hear about way too often is bedsores (also known as decubitus ulcers or pressure sores). Many of the people we’ve represented who had bedsores didn’t have to develop this condition if only they’d receive the proper nursing care.

While a bedsore might sound like a mild sore, it can deteriorate to the point that infection, organ damage or death can result. The fact that bedsores can occur and are preventable is not news to anyone in the nursing home industry, so why, then, are so many patients still developing them? This is unacceptable, and if you or your loved one has pressure sores because he/she did not receive the proper nursing home care, then there is a good chance that you have grounds for a Washington DC nursing home negligence case.

Common causes of bedsores at assisted living facilities:
• Failure to regularly reposition/turn a patient in his/her bed
• Lack of mobility
• Prolonged pressure on one part of the body
• Dehydration
• Malnutrition
• Allowing a patient to sit in soiled bed sheets
• Letting moisture stay close to a resident's skin for too long
• Failure to change wet diapers
• Inexperienced nursing staff
• Understaffing
• Failure to identify and treat bedsores

Bedsores can become extremely painful and debilitating. There is no reason why a patient should not get the appropriate nursing home care that would prevent pressure sores from developing.

Related Web Resources:
Nursing Home Directory, District of Columbia Department of Health

Bedsores, MayoClinic

Maryland Nursing Home Lawyer Blog

More Blog Posts:
Psychiatric Report Says U.S. Needs to Prepare for Increase of Elderly Dementia, Maryland Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Blog, June 8, 2011

Dementia Patient’s Wandering Leads to Death—Nursing Home Fined $20K for Negligence, Maryland Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Blog, June 6, 2011

Florida Nursing Homes Investigated for Severe Abuse and Negligence, Maryland Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Blog, June 3, 2011

Continue reading "Washington DC Nursing Home Neglect Can Cause Bedsores" »

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Posted In: Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect , Nursing Home Abuse and Negligence

December 24, 2010

District of Columbia Sued for Failing Disabled Nursing Home Patients

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A class action complaint has been filed in federal court against the District of Columbia. The lawsuit contends that over 500 (possibly even up to 2,900 disabled) residents have been unnecessarily institutionalized against their own wishes because the city has failed to provide adequate community housing care alternatives. The lawsuit, filed by disability rights advocates, contends that the city is in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

In 2007, the District was given a federal grant of over $26 million to move 1,100 disabled people and seniors from DC nursing homes. While 73 people have been transferred out of institutional settings, patients have not yet been transferred out of nursing homes. According to advocates, city agencies and nursing home staffs have failed to notify residents that they have other living options.

Nursing Home Negligence
Nursing homes are responsible for providing residents with the specific care that he/she requires. Nursing home residents have certain rights even when staying at an assisted living facility. It is important that a patient benefit from living in a nursing home. In the event that personal injury results because of Washington DC nursing home neglect or abuse or medical practice or inadequate nursing care, the assisted living facility can be held liable for nursing home negligence.

Our Washington DC nursing home abuse law firm represents patients and their families that have suffered injury, illness, or death as a result of negligent nursing care.

Some signs of nursing home abuse or neglect:
• Malnutrition
• Dehydration
• Unexplained bruises or injuries
• Bedsores
• Unexplained mood swings, depression, or withdrawal
• Nursing home staffers’ inability to explain how an injury occurred
• Overmedication
• Unwarranted restraints
• Sudden weight loss or gain
• Wandering or elopement

Advocates set to sue D.C. on behalf of disabled confined to nursing homes, The Washington Post, December 22, 2010

Lawsuit Claims DC Failing Nursing Home Residents, WUSA/AP, December 23, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Nursing Homes, DC Department of Health

Nursing Homes, Medicare.gov

Maryland Nursing Home Lawyer Blog

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Posted In: Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect , Nursing Home Abuse and Negligence

May 15, 2010

Washington DC Lawmakers Support National Nursing Home Week

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Today marks the end of National Nursing Home Week. The week honors nursing home workers, professionals, residents, volunteers, and family members for their contributions to their communities.

National Nursing Home Week was established by the American Health Care Association. Last month, Representative Michael Arcuri (D-NY) introduced Resolution 1291, which supports the designated week. This year’s theme has been “Enriching Every Day.” Our Washington DC nursing home neglect and abuse law firm wants to honor those who do everything to make assisted living facility residents' lives easier and more enjoyable.

Visiting Your Loved One at a Nursing Home
It is important to visit your family member once they’ve moved into the assisted living facility. Not only will you be giving him/her emotional support and maintaining your connection with each other, but also physically going to the assisted living facility will allow you to take part in your relative’s care.

The Ribbon.com offers a number of recommendations for activities you can engage in when visiting a nursing home:

• Talk to your loved one
• Watch his/her body language for signs of loneliness, depression, abuse or neglect
• Take any complaints seriously
• Help the patient with leg or arm exercises
• Go for a walk together on the grounds or up and down the hall
• Bring gifts, such as flowers, mementos, family photos, or favorite foods
• Listen to music together
• Help with letter writing
• Share a meal together
• Check in with staff members about your loved one’s care
• Look around to make sure that the nursing home is still the kind of place where you feel comfortable letting your loved one live

Your physical presence also makes staff members aware that you are watching out for your loved one and monitoring their care and well-being. If you suspect Washington DC nursing home abuse your neglect, you may want to consider immediately removing your loved one from the assisted living facility.

AHCA Praises House Support for National Nursing Home Week, AHCA, April 23, 2010

Visiting in the Adult or Nursing Home, The Ribbon

Related Web Resources:

Maryland Nursing Home Lawyer Blog

Nursing Home Directory, District of Columbia Department of Health

Continue reading "Washington DC Lawmakers Support National Nursing Home Week" »

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Posted In: Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect , Nursing Home Abuse and Negligence

March 25, 2010

Washington DC Nursing Negligence: Socialite Karen Feld Accuses Private Nurse of Neglect and Fraud

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Karen Feld, a socialite and a former DC gossip columnist, is suing Inger Sheinbaum, her former home-care companion and private nurse, for $1.5 million. Feld is alleging Washington DC nursing home neglect and fraud.

According to Feld, Sheinbaum lied about her qualifications as a registered nurse, failed to perform the nursing duties she was hired for, and allowed men who didn’t have permission into the 62-year-old woman’s hospital room. Feld, who had to undergo brain surgery in January 2008, hired the 61-year-old nurse because she needed 24-hour nursing care while she recovered.

Feld claims that Sheinbaum was away during numerous "critical junctures.” After one week of employment, Sheinbaum resigned. The nurse claims that Feld allegedly attacked her during a rant that included profanity. Sheinbaum’s legal representation says that the Washington DC injury lawsuit is unfounded.

Washington DC Nursing Home Negligence
Nursing home abuse can happen at an assisted living facility or in a private residence. If you suspect nursing home neglect or abuse, it is important that you remove your loved one from the situation right away as their health and safety may be at serious risk.

People hire a private nurse or check into a Washington DC nursing home because they cannot live alone and/or need medical help. Failure to provide that care or intentionally inflicting harm on the patient is nursing home negligence.

Unfortunately, sick and elderly people are easy targets when it comes to abuse and neglect. It doesn’t help that victims are often too sick, frail, or scared to report what is happening to them.

Latest Feld lawsuit alleges fraud and negligence by nurse, Washington Post, March 25, 2010

Elder Abuse and Neglect, Helpguide.org

Related Web Resources:
Washington DC Nursing Homes

Nursing Home Compare, Medicare.gov

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Posted In: Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect

February 4, 2010

Are Washington DC Nursing Homes Doing Enough to Prevent Patient Abuse and Neglect? : One in Five US Nursing Homes Receive Low Star Ratings for Quality

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USA Today reports that one in five of the 15,700 nursing homes in the US received low ratings for two years in a row under Medicare’s five-star quality rating system. The assisted living facilities that received the lowest ratings averaged 14 deficiencies each.

Medicare primarily determines its ratings based on data from the last two years, including inspection findings and complaint investigations. USA Today reports that there are Washington DC nursing homes among the assisted living facilities that scored poorly over consecutive years.

Our Washington DC nursing home lawyers are aware of the abuse and neglect issues that can arise for patients staying at an assisted living facility in the District of Columbia area. It is important that you remove your loved one from the nursing home where the abuse or neglect is taking place and that you explore your legal options.

Some of the signs that a patient may be experiencing Washington DC nursing home abuse or neglect:

• Bruises, cuts, burns, or fractures that can’t be explained
• Genital infections
• Mood swings
• Depression or withdrawal
• Behavioral changes
• Bedsores
• Broken bones
• Rope marks on wrist
• Unexplained anal or vaginal bleeding
• Sudden weight loss or weight gain
• Unsanitary living environment
• A patient who isn’t bathed and/or is left in soiled clothing
• Dirty linens
• Hazardous living conditions

Remember that nursing home abuse comes in many forms. A patient may be the victim of physical violence, sexual violence, psychological violence, or emotional abuse. It is also considered elder abuse to exploit a nursing home patient’s financial resources.

Analysis: Poor ratings persist for 1 in 5 U.S. nursing homes, USA Today, January 28, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Elder Abuse and Neglect, Helpguide.org

Nursing Home Compare, Medicare.gov

Nursing Home Directory, DOH Health Care Facilities Division

Continue reading "Are Washington DC Nursing Homes Doing Enough to Prevent Patient Abuse and Neglect? : One in Five US Nursing Homes Receive Low Star Ratings for Quality " »

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Posted In: Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect