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Bedsores Do Not Just Happen to "The Elderly"

Jim Forde — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 20:02:00 GMT

It is a common misconception that decubitus ulcers ("bedsores," "pressure wounds") only happen to people of advanced age that are bedridden for extremely long periods of time. While factors like age, incontinence and certain types of medication are factors-----pressure, friction, humidity and temperature can cause this potentially deadly condition to develop in a shockingly short period of time, regardless of age.

RGGL was recently contacted by the family of a working woman in her 50's who walked into a Bronx hospital under her own power complaining of back pain. Although she had diabetes and hypertension (controlled by medication) she had no other significant medical history. She did require back surgery, and was hospitalized for approximately 8 weeks.

Her family came to meet with hospital staff members in anticipation of her release from the hospital for the holidays. One of her daughters was told that family members would have to be instructed in "wound care," which she presumed related to the surgical incision from the back surgery. She was shocked to learn (and see) that her mother had developed serious decubitus ulcers on her lower back and buttocks while at the hospital. This unfortunate woman now faces a long road to recovery, and remains hospitalized in a different institution, facing many complications such as the continuing spread of infection.

The development of bedsores can be easily prevented with proper care. They routinely appear on "bony" areas of the body that will remain in contact with the bed's surface for extended periods of time (heels, low back, elbows, ankles, e.g.) However, even the simple procedure of turning the patient every 2 hours can prevent this condition from occurring in the first place. These ulcers can begin as seemingly innocent areas of redness on the parts of the body mentioned. If you or someone you know have a loved one in the hospital or bedridden at home, make sure you discuss preventative measures with their health care professionals. Bedsores are no "accident;" they result purely from neglect.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jim Forde

Nursing home abuse can happen to anyone and be inflicted by anyone.

Matthew Zullo — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 15:18:00 GMT

In Minnesota, two teenage girls who worked as aids in a nursing home have been charged with abuse. No one would expect that these two young and popular women would taunt, spit on, and grope the breasts and genitals of residents who were suffering from Alzheimer's disease and other disabling disorders. After committing these disturbing acts, the teens would gather with other employees to laugh about the abuse. Eight teenagers in total were involved though only six have been charged, some for failing to report the incidents of abuse.

The two charged with the most serious crimes were popular high school students. One was captain of her high school dance team and the other was the sports anchor for their school’s newscast. The lesson learned is if you suspect that your loved one is being abused or neglected, do not ignore the warning signs just because the probable culprit is seemingly innocent and popular with their peers.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Matthew Zullo

Nursing homes: Holiday visits, be aware of signs of neglect and abuse.

Matthew Zullo — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 12:16:00 GMT

The holiday season is the time of year when families come together and visit loved ones. The holidays are the peak visiting season for families visiting residents of nursing homes and long term care facilities. It is important that family members be mindful of the signs of neglect and abuse.

Families should also be aware of the risk of bedsores also known as pressure sores or ulcers. Bedsores result from sustained pressure on your body and are avoidable with proper precautions. They're especially common in areas that lie just over a bone, such as your spine, tailbone (coccyx), shoulder blades, hips, heels and elbows. Knowing this, the nursing facility is obligated to develope and impliment a pressure sore prevention plan for each resident who is deemed at risk. Those at risk include the immobile, people with decreased mental awareness, diabetes, malnutrition, and vascular disease. A proper prevention plan includes position changes, daily skin inspections, pressure reducing devices, and proper nutrition.

If you have a loved one in a nursing home or other care facility, check that person's skin condition, weight, and general care every time you visit. If you notice any sign of pressure sores, or neglect, alert the nursing staff and attending physician or nursing home director immediately. Even just a small area of redness can quickly develope into a difficult to treat open wound. You and other family members are in the best position to monitor and assess a loved one's condition.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Matthew Zullo

Delaying Until Death

Staff Writer — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 18:20:47 GMT

Imagine your mother falling Ill and needing home care. Many years earlier she purchased a long-term care insurance policy and faithfully paid the premium. She never wanted to put the burden of her health care costs on her children.

You put in a claim but the insurance company never makes any payments . You call the insurance company and send them document after document. They deny the claim on the reason of "the claim being filed was too late." The denials change each time, often citing provisions in the policy that do not exist, and often contradicting previous denials.

The case of Mary Rose Derks from Montana attracted congressional attention after the New York Times highlighted her plight at the hands of insurance company Conseco. Her family had to sell their business after Conseco denied Mary’s claim for more than four years. Insurance companies embrace delay tactics to avoid paying claims. According to Mary Beth Senkewicz, a former senior executive at the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), "the bottom line is that insurance companies make money when they don’t pay claims....They’ll do anything to avoid paying, because if they wait long enough, they know the policyholders will die."

Most people file for insurance claims when they are most vulnerable. Filing a claim with your insurance company usually follows an upset to everyday life, that could involve a car accident, a tree falling on your house, or hospitalization from a serious illness. For the insurance company it is business as usual. Many insurance companies routinely delay claims to try to avoid paying. By delaying as long as possible, the insurance company knows many of its claimants will eventually give up, or in some cases die.

At AIG, claim supervisors have locked checks in safes until claimants complained, delaying payments for a year, and disposing of important correspondence during routine "pizza parties."

Other long-term care insurers, such as Conseco, have had its employees testify to a variety of tricks used to deny claims. In the words of former agent Betty Hobel, the company "made it so hard to make a claim that people either died or gave up."

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Staff Writer

Hidden cameras used to stop nursing home abuse and neglect.

Matthew Zullo — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 12:45:00 GMT

New York Attorney General Andrea Cuomo has begun using hidden cameras in nursing homes to stop the criminal abuse and neglect of residences. This program has already had success in uncovering patient abuse and employees falsifying medical records to cover up misdeeds at a Long Island nusing home. The program is being expanded to other areas in New York State. This is a positive step to curb injury to one of societies most vulnerable, those who find themselves elderly and infirm.

While these criminal prosecutions are noteworthy, they are not the only weapon available to protect nusing home residence. The state and federal government have enacted numerous laws aimed at regulating nursing home practices. The Public Health Law in New York provides a individual with a private right of action for damages stemming from a deprivation of rights or benefits. The patient's well being is paramount and these laws were put into place to protect the basic human rights and dignity of those who find themselves in a nursing home.

I applaud the Attorney General on his actions to curb abuse and believe the next step is to require nursing homes to educate the residences and their families about their rights and the laws in place that are meant to protect the dignity of the elderly.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Matthew Zullo