For the last two decades, assisted living programs have become an attractive option for Arizona families. Unlike traditional nursing homes, assisted living facilities closely resemble an average home. They offer seniors a sense of community while giving them the freedom to keep their independence for as long as possible.
Unfortunately, many assisted living facilities do not provide safe health care to their residents. Corporate owners often treat these facilities as apartment complexes for seniors. Yet, they have failed to safely oversee the health care practices in their programs. As such, seniors have suffered serious harm.
REQUIRING MORE CARE THAN AN ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY CAN PROVIDE
There are many benefits to living in an assisted living unit. However, many seniors in an assisted living facility need the same level of care as someone in a nursing home or skilled care unit. In fact, if a senior is unable to receive adequate and safe medical care, the results can be disastrous.
Unfortunately, many residents in assisted living facilities require more care than they receive. One study performed by researchers at John Hopkins University found that 46 percent of assisted living residents had three or more chronic conditions.
An astonishing 25 percent had two or more specific and serious diagnoses, such as congestive heart failure or Parkinson’s disease.
These types of unstable medical conditions are often more than assisted living facilities can handle. These programs have limited medical staff, and most of the medical staff in these facilities are caregivers. They are not licensed nurses or medical doctors. In fact, only 54 percent of assisted living facilities in the study had any nurses on staff.
The programs that did have nurses on staff only had them available during the day. This meant that there were no medical staff members available for evening or nighttime medical situations.
The study also uncovered that half of all residents took medications that required routine monitoring. This monitoring was not performed on-site. As such, it was less likely residents received the care they needed.
INJURIES SUFFERED IN ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES
Assisted living facilities do not provide high levels of medical care and monitoring. As such, residents are at an increased risk of suffering injuries. Some of the most frequent injuries suffered in an assisted living facility include:
- Fractures due to falls
- Strokes or heart complications
- Burns
- Head injuries
- Back injuries
- Lacerations
- Infections and illness
- Bedsores
- Malnutrition
- Dehydration
- Choking
CONTACT OUR PHOENIX NURSING HOME ABUSE ATTORNEYS
If you or someone you love has been the victim of nursing home abuse in Phoenix, it is important to know where you can turn for help. At Miller Kory Rowe LLP, our Phoenix nursing home abuse lawyers know that families need someone on their side after abuse occurs. We can help you protect your loved one and hold negligent or abusive institutions and caregivers accountable. Contact us today at (602) 648-4045 for a free initial consultation and review of your case. We are here when you need us the most, fighting for you every step of the way.