New York Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Blog

Glendale Home, a County run facility in Scotia, NY, was fined $20,800 for neglecting to toilet residents according to a Long-Term-Care Community Coalition report. When investigators interviewed residents at the facility, they were told horror stories about residents soiling themselves and/or evacuating their bowels/bladder in their beds or on the floor when calls for help were ignored.

Many of the residents and some staff members at the nursing home indicated that the facility was short-staffed, and as a result, was unable to provide proper care to residents. One resident recounted that "sometimes staff would become angry with me for calling out when they were so busy and tell me I would have to wait." The resident further explained that she often felt pain in her abdomen when no staff members responded to her calls.

Website Resources:

Nursing home fined for care lapses, Times Union, Lauren Stanforth, June 23, 2009.

Dehydration, or inadequate hydration, is a serious problem facing nursing home residents. Dehydration means that an individual is losing more fluid than his or her body is taking in. Although it would seem that keeping a resident hydrated in a nursing home setting would be simple enough, it is one of the most common diagnoses when nursing home residents are discharged from a nursing home to a hospital.

Dehydration can occur if residents are on certain types of medication and/or if a resident has diarrhea. In addition, some nursing home residents become refuse to eat or drink. However, in these situations, it is incumbent upon the nursing home staff to be more vigilant in monitoring the resident's hydration. Unfortunately, dehydration is often the result of nursing home neglect and/or understaffing. Dehydration can lead to:

1) Infection;
2) Confusion;
3) Weakness;
4) Bedsores;
5) Pneumonia; and
6) Death.

Signs of dehydration include dry mouth, grey or ashen skin, confusion, dark or amber urine, low urine output, fever, delirium, and infection. We cannot stress enough how important it is for families of nursing home residents to be a constant presence where a loved one is a resident. By doing so, the family members can observe and react appropriately if signs or symptoms of neglect or abuse arise.

At Gallivan & Gallivan, we represent individuals who have suffered from dehydration or malnutrition as a result of nursing home neglect or abuse. If you or a loved one has been the victim of elder abuse or neglect, please contact us to discuss the matter further.

Website Resources:

Dehydration, Mayo Clinic, Mayo Clinic Staff.

Malnutrition & Dehydration in Nursing Homes, Nursing Home Abuse Resource Center.

According to a survey conducted by the New York State Attorney General, 98% of New York's nursing homes surveyed failed to meet federal recommendations for nurse staffing. Based on these statistics, it is not surprising that nursing home residents often do not receive the appropriate attention and care.  What follows is a basic guide to recognizing and acting upon signs of nursing home abuse or neglect.

Participate In The Care of Your Loved One
It is very important for the staff at a nursing home to know that the family of the resident is interested in the resident's well-being. Therefore, take an active role in the care-giving, visit often and make your presence known to the nursing home staff members.

Identify Signs and Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of nursing home abuse or neglect that loved ones of residents should look for include:
 

• Bedsores


• Pressure sores


• Fractures


• Nursing home staff refusing or delaying visitors


• Malnutrition


• Dehydration


• Sudden changes in behavior


• Unexplained bruises or cuts


• Infection


• Choking incidents


• Significant weight loss or gain


• Unexpected death


• Medication errors.

Speak Up
If you notice any change in your loved one's condition or see any of the above signs of neglect/abuse, speak with the Director of Nursing or the Administrator of the facility. If necessary, file a formal written complaint detailing the alleged abuse or neglect. You may also consider filing a formal complaint with the New York State Department of Health. The DOH is required to investigate any such complaints. Finally, you or your loved one may have the right to pursue a claim or lawsuit against the facility so an attorney concentrating in Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse should be contacted.