Scabies is an itchy skin condition caused by mites that can cause infections. A severe type of scabies, crusted scabies (Norwegian scabies), can affect large parts of a nursing home resident’s body and can be difficult to treat. Unlike milder cases of scabies that involve about 10-15 mites, a resident who has crusted scabies may…

It’s bad enough that many nursing home residents are abused. It’s worse when the victims are too afraid to complain to the nursing home management, a state ombudsman’s office, their family, or an attorney. Yet many residents are too afraid to file complaints out of fear that the nursing home or someone who works for…

California enacted the Elder Abuse and Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act (EADACPA) to address a variety of concerns about the care of the elderly. These concerns are common to elder care facilities throughout the United States. The law includes a number of key parts including identifying the reasons why the law was enacted, various definitions,…

Nursing homes need to anticipate the possible complications from bedsores in addition to the most expected consequences such as tenderness and swelling. One dangerous complication from severe bedsores (also called pressure ulcers) is the risk of infections – some of which may be life-threatening. Bedsores occur when the flow of blood to the skin is…

A recent study conducted by the University of Chicago Medical Center shows that almost three-quarters of acute stroke patients wait two hours or more to be transferred  from a smaller hospital that doesn’t provide stroke services to a comprehensive stroke center. This delay can be deadly or result in a long-term disability or severe harm…

Some people may be under the impression that understaffing in nursing homes is a minor inconvenience, meaning that their elderly family member will simply have to wait a little longer to get the care and assistance that they need for the day. However, understaffing in nursing homes is actually a big issue with serious and…

One of the most common reasons for elder abuse is because family members and relative caregivers become stressed, frustrated, and overwhelmed while caring for their loved ones. They may begin to feel resentful of how much time it takes to care for another person. They may have other duties and obligations, such as taking care…

Unfortunately, it is not an uncommon scenario to find out that a nursing home is overmedicating your family member or loved one. There may be various reasons behind this, but none of them are ethical. In fact, choosing to overmedicate an individual in a nursing home is considered nursing home abuse. What is medication abuse?…

When an individual suffers a stroke, their life often changes forever. In fact, they may become completely incapacitated and unable to participate in or enjoy the activities that they did before the stroke. While expensive medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering are all parts of a recovering stroke victim’s life, it is important…

It is no secret that elderly individuals are prone to falls. While young adults have the ability to get back up, recover quickly, and return to their daily lives, elderly people usually do not have this same luck. In fact, falls are one of the top causes of deaths among elderly individuals. It may be…

When your elderly family member needs to live in a nursing home, you most likely put a tremendous amount of thought and consideration into this decision. You are trusting that the facility will take care of your loved one’s health and safety exactly as you would. Unfortunately, elder abuse in nursing homes is on the…

People who are unable to provide around-the-clock care for their elderly parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, or in-law may need to place them into a nursing home. This is usually a very tough decision that requires a lot of thought as you are putting your confidence and trust into a facility and its staff to care…

Unfortunately, strokes are very common in the United States. Therefore, doctors and nurses should be prepared and ready to handle and provide the necessary care for patients experiencing a stroke. However, if an individual does not receive the immediate diagnosis and care that they need, there is a high chance that they will suffer long-term…

If an elderly person you love and are related to is being abused, you may be looking for governmental resources that can possibly help you out. While there are several of them, some seem to be more beneficial than others. In addition, most facilities and organizations focus on different things, meaning that one organization may…

Nursing home abuse is a distressing fact of life that affects much of our vulnerable elder population. If you suspect that a loved one is experiencing nursing home abuse, it is crucial to take immediate and appropriate action to ensure their safety and well-being. This guide outlines the steps you should take if you suspect…

Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is a medication used in the treatment of ischemic strokes, which occur when a blockage, typically a blood clot, obstructs blood flow to a part of the brain. tPA is a clot-busting drug that works by promoting the dissolution of the clot, thereby restoring blood flow to the affected area of…