Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers Gainesville, GA

Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect

Signs of abuse and neglect may be physical or emotional. Common physical signs of abuse or neglect include:

• Pressure sores (also known as bed sores or decubitus ulcers)

• Broken bones and/or unexplained falls

• Excessive and sudden weight loss (malnutrition)

• Extreme thirst or dry mouth (dehydration)

• Unexplained bruises or welts

• Pneumonia

• Poor personal hygiene

• Unexplained or unexpected death of the resident

Each year, thousands of senior citizens are abused, neglected or exploited in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Many victims are frail, vulnerable and cannot help themselves, depending upon the nurses and staff to meet their most basic needs. Many of the problems that arise in nursing homes and assisted living facilities can be traced to lack of staffing or inadequately trained staff. Lack of proper supervision or assistance can also lead to problems, such as residents who fall and suffer broken bones and closed head injuries or residents who wander from the facility and are injured or killed. McDonald, Cody & Cook Law firm represents victims of nursing home abuse and neglect and their family members.

There are signs that Georgia has a serious and growing problem when it comes to the quality of nursing home care: A report in the July 2009 edition of U.S. News and World Report rated Georgia second worst in the nation, behind Louisiana, for quality of care. Using federal data, the report found that just 23 of the state’s 355 nursing home received the government’s top ranking for quality of care.

With the aging of the Baby Boomers, the federal government estimates that almost half of those who turned 65 in 1990 will spend time in a nursing home.

Two-thirds of those in a nursing home have no living relatives and 70 percent are women. It is critical for everyone who comes into contact with these most vulnerable of our citizens to make sure they are being treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.

Neglect and abuse cases can be difficult to discover and surrounded by complex physical, mental and psychological issues such as Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers, Gainesville GA, to Cornelia, throughout Northeast Georgia

To learn more about McDonald, Cody & Cook’s expertise, and whether we can help you with your case, please contact us or call today (706) 778-7178, (877) 847-8323, or (888) 351-9459