Broken Bones in Nursing Home Residents

    PHOENIX, AZ, May 29, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- If you've ever had a broken bone, you know that it can take months for it to heal correctly, and you can feel the effects of it for years. For older family members in nursing homes, healing from a broken bone can take much longer, and the effects can be much more serious.

As we age, our bones can become thinner and more brittle, making them easier to break. In addition to this, immune systems deficiencies and other complications can make returning to normal life much more difficult for seniors than younger people.

Broken bones in nursing homes can be caused by both abuse and neglect. Some of the most common reasons nursing home residents suffer broken bones include:

- Unsafe Premises - In older nursing homes, uneven floors, lack of handrails, and poor lighting can cause residents to fall. While falling over for a younger person may not be a big deal, falling over for a senior can be devastating.
- Lack of Bedrails - Again, if there are no bedrails on the bed, a nursing home resident can roll over and out of the bed, falling to the ground. Falling from the bed like this can result in a broken hip, pelvis, leg, or arm.
- Overmedication - Giving seniors too much medication can make them dizzy and cause them to lose their balance. When this happens, they can easily fall and injure themselves.
- Malnutrition - Like overmedication, if a senior is not getting the nutrients and food they need because of nursing home neglect, medication complications, or even depression, they can lose coordination and fall.
- Physical Abuse - While it may be hard to think about, there are abusive nursing homes that may restrain residents violently. Your family member may feel embarrassed or scared to tell you about this, so it is important that you take the time to investigate the circumstances of their broken bones.

If you have a family member who has suffered a broken bone while being a resident at a nursing home, it could be a sign of nursing home abuse or nursing home neglect. Experienced personal injury lawyers are experienced and educated so that they can identify if nursing home abuse is taking place and they can hold the guilty parties responsible.

If your loved one is recovering from a broken bone and you believe it was caused by their nursing home, please visit the website of Phoenix nursing home abuse attorneys who are also doctors, Cullan & Cullan, M.D., J.D. at www.stopnursinghomeabuse.org to learn more about how your family can receive compensation for their injuries.

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