How common is nursing home injury and abuse in Anaheim California? The Anaheim area is home to many nursing home and skilled nursing facilities. The 2010 Census reported that more than 40 Million Americans are over the age of 65, and that number continues to rise.
California has the largest population of senior citizens in the US, and that number is expected to reach 6.4 million by 2025. California’s own Statewide Healthcare Planning and Development noted in a recent study that one-fifth of California’s nursing homes did not meet required staffing requirements. The impact on patient load, under-staffing and nursing home abuse in Anaheim and throughout Orange County is evident.
Recently, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services reported that California’s 115,000 plus nursing home residents are placed in physical restraints twice as often as the national average. What are some signs of nursing home injury and abuse in Anaheim and throughout Southern California? Bed sores or pressure sores (known as Decubitus ulcers) are one easily identifiable symptom of severe abuse and neglect. Each nursing home has its own policies and procedures when it comes to the treatment of patients, wound care, wound prevention and the turning of patients. In many cases, the staff fails to reach their own internal policy standards in terms of patient care – especially in terms of wound prevention.
Under-staffing results in a failure to adequately prevent chafing and skin irritation, especially in patients who are restrained. If your loved one has bed sores it is likely due to a lack of proper supervision, care, and regular attention to the position of the patient in their bed throughout each day. Another clue to nursing home abuse in Anaheim lies in the medications provided to the patient. Look into your loved one’s medical records, and compare the dosage of medications classified as sedatives or anti-psychotics over time. Increasing the medication sedates or placates the patient, so that they require less trips to the bathroom and less attention throughout the day.
Nursing home abuse in Anaheim is a serious issue, and it requires the skill and expertise of a seasoned personal injury attorney. My name is Rivers Morrell, and I have more than 40 years of experience as an injury attorney here in California. If you notice bed sores, bruising or chafing around the wrists, waist, chest and/or ankles, broken personal items in the room or other concerning signs of nursing home injury and abuse in Anaheim we invite you to review the strong recommendations of former clients and the legal industry and contact us or call to speak with me personally for a free, private and confidential consultation at (949)305-1400.
