When nursing homes fail to meet the proper standard of care, residents can suffer a variety of serious physical injuries. In St. Petersburg nursing home abuse cases, some of the most common injuries and health issues include:
- Bedsores and Infections: Elderly residents who are left bedridden or in a wheelchair for too long without being repositioned can develop pressure ulcers (bedsores). If untreated, bedsores can become badly infected, sometimes leading to sepsis, a life-threatening bloodstream infection. These injuries are a clear sign of neglect, as attentive staff should regularly check for and treat any pressure sores.
- Falls, Fractures, and Head Injuries: Many nursing home residents have mobility issues or cognitive impairments that put them at risk of falling. Without proper supervision or safety measures (like handrails, adequate lighting, and assistance when walking), a resident may suffer a fall. Falls often result in broken bones – hip fractures are especially common – or even head injuries such as concussions or brain trauma. Such injuries can be catastrophic for an elderly person and may be a result of staff negligence or unsafe conditions in the facility.
- Bruises and Unexplained Injuries: Families should be alarmed if a loved one in a nursing home has frequent bruises, cuts, or restraint marks with no satisfactory explanation. Unexplained injuries can indicate physical abuse by staff or rough handling during transfers (for example, moving a patient between bed and wheelchair improperly). Any signs of physical harm should be investigated immediately as potential abuse.
- Malnutrition and Dehydration: Weight loss, malnutrition, or dehydration in a nursing home resident often means the facility is not providing proper nutrition and hydration. Elderly individuals rely on caregivers for meals, water, and assistance with eating or drinking. When staff neglect these basic needs, residents can become dangerously weak, develop illnesses, or be more prone to other injuries. Chronic dehydration or malnutrition is a form of abuse by neglect.
- Elopement and Wandering Injuries: Some nursing home residents, particularly those with dementia or Alzheimer’s, might wander off unsupervised if the facility is not secure and monitored. This is known as elopement. A resident who leaves the safety of the home can get lost or suffer injuries from falls or exposure to the elements, or even traffic accidents. Elopement incidents in St. Petersburg facilities have led to serious harm, underscoring the need for proper alarms, locked exits, and attentive staff to prevent residents from wandering away.