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Nursing Home Abuse in Port St. Lucie
Why Nursing Home Residents Fall Twice as Often
It’s true, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Elderly residents of U.S. nursing homes are twice as likely to fall as are their peers who live at home. Further, the national average is 2.6 falls per nursing home resident, so most fall multiple times.
People enter nursing homes because they have serious health problems. Most can’t walk, bathe, eat or do other tasks without help. Many are on medications that can interfere with balance and perception. Older people may not see well, and lighting and other conditions in nursing homes may complicate matters.
In addition, many nursing facilities are cited for safety issues that can contribute to falls. All these factors add up to serious injuries for about 1 of every 5 nursing residents who falls. And nationwide, about 1,800 residents lose their lives to fall-related injuries every year.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“A City for All Ages,” declares the Port St. Lucie city motto. The St. Lucie County community has seen significant changes and rapid population growth since its early days as a fish camp and farming locale in the 1950s. The U.S. Census office and various media have confirmed its status as one of the nation’s fastest-growing cities. Port St. Lucie actually contains several other communities: the Town of Tradition, Tesoro, PGA Village, and St. Lucie West. Each features its own unique feel and offers a variety of neighborhoods, recreational facilities, and desirable amenities. Major league baseball spring training is held in Port St. Lucie, and the area is closely tied to professional golf as well. Planned development, both residential and commercial, promise a thriving future for this dynamic Florida Treasure Coast city.
The Port St. Lucie nursing home neglect and abuse attorneys at Freeman Injury Law, have seen the phenomenal growth that has changed our community in recent years, and our firm is pleased to be a respected resource for residents who need strong advocacy for loved ones residing in Florida nursing homes. Our experienced elder abuse lawyers have earned a reputation for providing vigorous representation for elderly and frail nursing home residents who are suffering the damage done by neglectful and abusive caregivers.
The U.S. has about 17,000 nursing homes nationwide, and 671 of those facilities are spread across Florida. With nine out of 10 nursing home residents over the age of 65 and about half over the age of 84, most residents are in need of significant help with the activities that make up their days: eating, dressing, toileting, moving about and the like. When nursing homes are understaffed or those charged with caring for residents are untrained or apathetic, the level of care residents receive may go lacking.
At Freeman Injury Law, our Port St. Lucie nursing home abuse lawyers know that more than 90% of nursing homes – both nationwide and in Florida – are routinely cited for deficiencies that can cause real problems with resident care. From substandard care to medication issues to environmental and safety hazards, many nursing facilities just don’t measure up, according to reports by Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration.
Our experienced elder abuse attorneys know that for residents of nursing facilities in St. Lucie County and across Florida, deficiencies in care can cause greater health and quality of life issues. Medical conditions such as sepsis, infections, injuries caused by falls, malnutrition, dehydration and other problems can easily occur or worsen when care standards aren’t upheld. If you believe your loved one is enduring such conditions in a Florida nursing home, our Port St. Lucie nursing home neglect and abuse attorneys can help. We know how to investigate the conditions in nursing facilities and we’ll take action to ensure that your loved one’s situation is addressed. When harm has been done, our experienced attorneys can pursue compensation. We’ll also work to make sure that conditions in deficient nursing facilities are improved, so that other residents benefit as well.
Unfortunately, our Port St. Lucie elder abuse lawyers can attest to the fact that elderly Americans can find themselves at risk for abuse and neglect in almost any living situation – not just in nursing homes. Physical, emotional, sexual, financial and other abuses are inflicted on vulnerable residents of our communities across the country every day. Many elderly individuals suffer from self-neglect, failing to see to their own needs, either because they can’t do so physically or mentally, or because they’ve simply given up.
Our caring elder abuse attorneys encourage family members to closely observe elderly relatives when they visit, taking note of any unusual or disturbing circumstances and seeking help when it’s needed. For accurate advice about the rights of elderly nursing home residents or others who may be suffering harm because of abuse or neglect, contact the Port St. Lucie nursing home neglect and elder abuse lawyers at Freeman Injury Law, for a free consultation. We charge nothing unless we recover damages for you.
Freeman Injury Law – (800) 561-7777 -- Someone on YOUR Side
