One of the biggest problems that affects nursing homes in the U.S. is chronic understaffing. There simply are not enough people on staff to provide the level of care that the residents need. This means that response times to call signals are slower, accidents are more...
When you’re faced with the idea of putting your loved one in a nursing home, it’s already heart-wrenching, but hearing all of the stories out there about nursing home neglect and abuse can make the whole thing terrifying. There’s no question that nursing home neglect...
Is your loved one’s nursing home or other long-term care facility (LTC) prepared for a disaster? You should be able to assume that it is. However, there have been multiple cases throughout the country wherein vulnerable elderly people were transferred to unsafe...
After 40 weeks of gestation and possibly a day or longer in labor, a new mother will want nothing more than to hold her healthy newborn baby. Unfortunately, some mothers who have just gone through the trials of childbirth learn shortly thereafter that something went...
People often live in nursing homes because they have health issues that their loved ones cannot manage unassisted. Cognitive decline may play a major role in the decision to move someone into a nursing home. Those with Alzheimer's disease or dementia can become...
Every physician who plans to practice human medicine after graduation from medical school takes the Hippocratic Oath. They agree to avoid doing harm to their patients above all else and to treat every patient the same regardless of their background or beliefs. The...
Medical professionals have long turned to medication to manage health concerns that people can potentially control using other methods. Medication is a quick way for a physician to defer responsibility for a patient's symptoms while still meeting their obligation to...
The high population density at most nursing homes makes them somewhat dangerous for residents. When there are a lot of people in a small space, illnesses can pass quickly from one person to another. Infestations are also a concern, as pests thrive when there are many...
Medical doctors make mistakes just like anyone else, but the mistakes they make often have devastating consequences for other people. One of the most concerning types of error which may affect millions of patients annually involves a diagnostic failure. Despite years...
Older adults often struggle with the tasks required for daily life. Declining physical ability as people age can make once-simple tasks, like walking to the bathroom to brush their teeth, both challenging and dangerous. Those who have previously fallen may move into a...