Elder Abuse and Neglect Law Blog - Providing a Voice for the Vulnerable on Elder Abuse & Neglect Issues

The Nursing Home industry continues to claim that some pressure sores or pressure ulcers are unavoidable.  But, it is important to point out that they can not specifically point out which of these sores are unavoidable.  While it may be argued that some patients are vulnerable to developing sores, I believe that it simply can not be argued that pressure sores should be allowed to develop to an extent that results in serious consequences for the patient.  So often, we see patients who develop pressure sores that result in serious health conditions and sometimes death.   Why is this allowed... More

Pressure sores or bed sores, as they are commonly called, should not happen.  These sores cause great pain, a loss of dignity, infections and often times result in the death of an elder loved one. The elderly and those with spinal cord injuries are most susceptible to pressure sores. These sores are the result of pressure, or pressure in combination with shear and friction.  The sores develop often as a result of the failure to move patients' body positioning or as a result of the failure to provide an adequate bed.   Pressure sores can be prevented by keeping a... More

Dehydration is one of the more prevalent problems seen in nursing homes. Patients that are confined to their bed have little to no control over their fluid intake. A bed-ridden patient is essentially limited to the water they have within their reach. When the pitcher runs dry and doesn't get replaced, the fluid intake can suffer. If a resident's fluid intake and output isn't monitored, the resident runs the risk of developing a myriad of problems.  Thomas Gallivan at New York Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Blog explains how dehydration leads to other problems: Although it would seem that keeping a resident hydrated... More