The possibility of neglect at a nursing home is unfortunately quite high, depending on the workload that the staff must manage. Neglect often comes along as a side effect of staff suffering from a job that works them beyond their capacity.
However, this is no excuse for the potential mistreatment or physical and mental health problems that may result from neglect. A pressure ulcer might be the first sign to indicate that this is happening.
The creation of pressure ulcers
Johns Hopkins Medicine examines the ties between neglect and pressure ulcers, also called bedsores. Bedsores form due to prolonged pressure on an area of the body, most often with a bed-bound victim who cannot move on their own.
The most common point of injury for bedsores includes the joints as well as the back, hips and heels. Victims left sitting may also experience these sores on their tailbone, as is the case when someone gets left in a wheelchair for an extended period of time.
Negligence and bed sores
Though bedsores form quickly, it still takes hours of immobility for them to start. This means that a loved one was likely left in the same position for hours at a time if they display signs of bedsores, most likely due to staff not noticing that no one has attended to them in some time.
Unfortunately, this likely means your loved one was either left in bed for a long period without anyone coming to move them, or they remained seated in a wheelchair with no ability to get out and to a bed. In either case, neglect led to your loved one’s suffering, and you may wish to look into your potential legal options next.
