We entrust the care of our loved ones to Louisville or Kentucky nursing homes. It is disappointing to learn about the high incidence of nursing home abuse or neglect as well as the risk of injury for elderly patients. What signs should you look for if you suspect nursing home abuse or neglect in Kentucky? It often starts as simply a feeling that something’s wrong. Things in your loved one’s room are out of place, inexplicably broken.
Look for changes in their medication, especially antipsychotics or sedatives. According to a recent study by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (MCS), nationally more than 17% of the patents in nursing homes and convalescent centers are given higher doses of antipsychotic medications each day. Overmedicating nursing home patients allows staff to give less attention to each patient, and is a red flag symptom of neglect.
The National Center for Disease Control (CDC) recently issued findings that there was an average of 2 falls in nursing homes across America each year for every bed in the facilities. Not every fall in a nursing home resulting in injury is a case of negligence, abuse or neglect but your loved ones deserve the benefit of the doubt.
Many Louisville and Kentucky nursing home and extended care facilities are understaffed and fail to meet the “standards of care” established by the State of Kentucky to protect nursing home and elderly patients.
How do you know if your loved one is at risk for nursing home abuse? Some things to look for include (but are not limited to):
- Complaints from your family member about yelling, threats or punishment
- Deep set eyes, pale features or abnormal complexion
- Substantial bruising (especially around the wrists or ankles showing restraints), rashes or bedsores
- Your family member is dirty or has come into contact with fleas or lice
- Bloody or torn bedding or clothing
- Finding your loved one in an area of the facility where they shouldn’t be or allowing a patient to wander off
- Excessive temperatures in the room
It simply isn’t right for our loved ones to be unable to be regularly taken to the bathroom, or regularly bathed and placed into clean clothing. Nursing home abuse or neglect in Kentucky threatens not only serious risks to their health and well-being, it increases the likelihood of injuries due to a fall.
If you are concerned about or suspect nursing home abuse or neglect in Kentucky or your loved one has suffered a questionable injury in a nursing home or extended care facility we invite you to contact us or call (502) 583-9701 for a free consultation.