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Warning Signs That Indicate Nursing Home Abuse in New York

No one likes to think that their loved one could be the victim of nursing home abusehttp://www.rapplaw.com/blog/new-york-nursing-home-residents-rights.cfm or neglect.  Unfortunately, elder abuse happens in even some of the more reputable facilities.  If your elderly family member is living in a New York nursing home, you need to familiarize yourself with the signs of nursing home abuse. 

The following is a list of warning signs that would indicate nursing home neglect or abuse:

• Limb contractures
• Skin breakdown
• Incontinence
• Malnutrition
• Dehydration
• Poor hygiene
• Infections
• Withdrawal or isolation
• Bruises
• Cuts
• Burns 
• Death
  

When a vulnerable nursing home resident is not given the proper attention, the outcome can be deadly.  Elderly residents have been known to suffer from medication mix ups, physical abuse, emotional abuse and overall neglect.  Bed sores and other serious conditions may develop as a result of such abuse and neglect by the nursing home staff.

Families pay a lot of money to these facilities in exchange for quality care for their loved ones.  When a nursing home does not provide a safe environment and allows neglect or abuse, it should be held accountable.  If you suspect that your family member has been the victim of nursing home abuse, you should contact an experienced New York nursing home abuse lawyer at Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine at 800.734.9445 for legal advice and to go over your options.

New York Nursing Home Residents’ Rights

Under the 1987 Nursing Home Reform Act, residents living in nursing homes have established rights.  They must be provided with services and activities that will help them to “attain or maintain the highest practicable physical, mental and psychosocial wellbeing,” in accordance with a written plan of care.

The legal rights of nursing home residents are guaranteed by the Nursing Home Reform Act.  Some of these rights include such things as the right to be fully informed about medical care and changes in their medical conditions, as well as the right to privacy.  Nursing home residents also have the right to be treated with respect and dignity and they can file a complaint.

Many nursing homes provide quality care and give residents the attention in which they are entitled.  However, when a nursing home neglects or abuses residents, the outcome can be grave.  Nursing home residents have been known to suffer serious injuries and illnesses resulting from nursing home abuse. 

If you suspect that your loved one is the victim of nursing home neglect or abuse, you should contact the law firm of Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine at 800-734-9445 for a free legal consultation.  A New York nursing home abuse lawyer will be able to explain your legal options.

Controversy Regarding New York Nursing Home Ratings

A new system has been implemented that allows you to look up the rating of a nursing home in New York and throughout the country.  The database is found on Medicare’s website and has prompted many criticisms since its launch.

The database gives a rating of quality based on five-stars.  It is the first tool managed by the federal government that rates nursing homes on quality and it provides insight into health inspections, nursing home staff and costs.  When the system was first implemented, almost one in four nursing homes included in the database received only one star.  These low ratings prompted controversy into the accuracy of the database and not surprisingly, many of the critics were the nursing homes that performed poorly.

If you have a loved one living in a nursing home or if you are in the process of choosing a nursing home, this system is worth checking out.  Since nursing home abuse and neglect can lead to serious injuries and death, it is important that you do your homework regarding the track record of a nursing home.

New York nursing home neglect and abuse is devastating.  If you believe that your elderly family member may have been a victim, you should contact a New York nursing home abuse lawyer at Rappaport Glass, Greene & Levine at 800-734-9445 for information regarding legal rights of abuse victims.

New York Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect Results in Serious Injuries

It is a sad fact that nursing home residents are frequently the victims of abuse and neglect.  Many of these victims find themselves at the mercy of the people who care for them.  Nursing home abuse can lead to serious, if not fatal, injuries.

New York nursing home neglect has been linked to problems such as bed sores, malnutrition, dehydration, medicine mix ups and misdiagnosis of illnesses.  When the nursing staff abuses residents, it can cause them to sustain bruises, broken bones and cuts.  There have even been cases of head injuries caused by elder abuse.

Even some of the more reputable facilities have been known to neglect or abuse their residents.  Nursing homes and assisted living facilities can and should be held responsible for abuse cases.  When a nursing home is understaffed or poorly trains employees, it can adversely impact the people who rely on the nursing staff for their care.

If your loved one has been the victim of nursing home abuse in New York, you need to contact a New York nursing home abuse lawyer at Rappaport, Glass, Greene & Levine at (800) 734-9445 for legal advice.