Chronic Hospital Visits a Growing Concern for Monroe Nursing Home Residents

As people age, they become more susceptible to health issues that often necessitate hospital visits. While it’s common for elderly individuals to experience more frequent hospitalizations due to chronic conditions and frailty, an unusually high number of hospital visits can be a red flag indicating potential abuse or neglect in a nursing home.

Why Do Elderly People Often Have More Hospital Visits?

Elderly individuals are at a higher risk of hospital visits for many reasons, including:

• Chronic Illnesses: Conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and arthritis require ongoing medical attention and can lead to frequent hospitalizations.
• Weakened Immune Systems: As people age, their immune systems weaken, making them more vulnerable to infections and illnesses.
• Falls and Injuries: Older adults are more prone to falls, which can result in fractures and other serious injuries requiring hospital care.

When Should Frequent Hospital Visits Raise a Red Flag?

While some hospital visits are inevitable, an excessive number can indicate that something is wrong. Frequent hospitalizations may signal abuse or neglect in a nursing home. Warning signs of abuse or neglect may include:

• Unexplained Injuries: Frequent trips to the hospital for fractures, bruises, or head injuries.
• Dehydration or Malnutrition: Hospital visits due to dehydration, malnutrition, or unexplained weight loss.
• Recurring Infections: Repeated hospitalizations for infections such as urinary tract infections or bedsores that are not healing or getting worse.
• Medication Errors: Hospital visits caused by overmedication, under-medication, or incorrect medication administration.

Reasons for Hospital Visits Due to Neglect or Abuse

Neglected or abused nursing home residents may end up in the hospital more frequently for several reasons. A poorly managed or understaffed facility can lead to deplorable conditions for nursing home residents. Overworked, underpaid, and poorly trained staff can also lead to abuse or neglect. Below are some examples of conditions that may lead to more frequent hospital visits:

• Poor Hygiene and Sanitation: Leading to infections and illnesses.
• Lack of Supervision: Resulting in falls, elopement, and other injuries.
• Insufficient Medical Care: Delay or denial of medical treatment exacerbating health conditions.
• Emotional and Physical Abuse: Causing stress-related illnesses and physical injuries.

What Nursing Homes Should Be Doing to Prevent Hospital Visits

Nursing homes have a duty to provide a safe and healthy environment for all their residents. Measures to prevent unnecessary hospital visits start with a well-staffed facility, sufficient hiring protocols, implementing ongoing training for staff, routine risk assessments of residents, and incorporating proper day-to-day guidelines and regulations for staff. Some other necessary steps to prevent chronic hospital visits may include:

• Regular Health Check-Ups: Routine medical examinations to catch health issues early.
• Proper Nutrition and Hydration: Ensuring residents receive balanced meals and stay hydrated.
• Sufficient Cleaning: Ensuring day-to-day cleaning protocols are adhered to including keeping rooms clean and clear of fall hazards, proper cleaning of medical equipment, and regularly bathing residents, changing their bedding, and changing their clothing.
• Adequate Staffing: Sufficient staff to monitor and care for residents properly.
• Fall Prevention Programs: Implementing safety measures to reduce the risk of falls.
• Prompt Medical Attention: Quick response to medical needs and emergency situations to prevent conditions from worsening.

What Doctors, Surgeons, and Hospitals Should be Doing

The doctors, surgeons, and hospital staff have a duty to ensure Monroe nursing home residents are discharged back to a safe and healthy environment. If a nursing home resident is seen frequently at a hospital, doctor’s office, or emergency room, the doctors, nurses, social workers, and other hospital staff should conduct an interview with the patient and/or a family member to make sure the patient is not being abused or neglected. Red flags or concerns should be addressed by the resident or family during this interview. If neglect or abuse is suspected, the resident should be discharged to a family member or a different facility.

Georgia Nursing Home Statistics

In Georgia, the need for vigilant care in nursing homes is underscored by alarming statistics:

• High Hospitalization Rates: A significant percentage of nursing home residents in Georgia are hospitalized each year due to preventable conditions.
• Abuse and Neglect Cases: Reports of abuse and neglect in Georgia nursing homes have led to increased scrutiny and calls for better oversight.

Statistics

• Number of Residents in Georgia Nursing Homes as of 2023 – 29,453
• Number of Nursing Homes in the U.S. as of 2020 – 15,300
• Proportion of Nursing Homes with For-Profit Ownership in the U.S. (2020) – 3%
• Number of licensed beds in the U.S. (2020) – 6 million
• Number of residents in the U.S. (2020) – 3 million
• Between 2010 and 2030, the U.S. population age 65 and older is projected to grow by 79 percent from 40 million to 72 million.
• In 2008, there were more than 14 million hospital stays among adults ages 65 years and older.

Contact an Experienced Monroe, GA Nursing Home Abuse Attorney

If you suspect that your loved one is experiencing abuse or neglect in a nursing home or other long-term care facility, it’s crucial to act quickly. Our experienced Monroe nursing home abuse attorneys are dedicated to protecting the rights of the elderly and ensuring they receive the care and respect they deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your case and explore your legal options. Call us at 1 (866) 974-0330 or fill out our online contact form and someone will be in touch.