When GI Problems Become Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect

It is true that nursing home residents are more susceptible to illnesses in general because of their gradually decreasing health. However, one of the reasons why GI problems may occur frequently in the elderly population is because of the low quality of medical care they receive from nursing home staff members. A report by The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions Baltimore, MD states that gastrointestinal problems was one of the most prevalent health problems studied seniors affected by dementia. The article ended with the conclusion that “these results suggest the need for clinicians in long-term care facilities to be vigilant in assessing and treating pain, particularly as cognitive function declines in those with advanced dementia.”

What about seniors? Is there a special reason why seniors seem to have gastrointestinal problems more than average? According to PubMed.gov, U.S. National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, the only significance is “in bleeding ulcerations and gastric carcinoma occurring more frequently in advanced age.” There is some evidence to suggest that important digestive parts are subjected to atrophy, but the scientists dismiss these issues as not having any clinical relevance.

Unfortunately, many nursing homes today are just barely meeting the minimum standard of health care, while many fall well below that acceptable line. In order for residents to be free of gastrointestinal problems, or a least control the symptoms, they must get the prompt medical treatment they need.

Sometimes nursing home residents are malnourished or dehydrated in these homes, not to mention depressed and possibly feeling worthless if that’s the energy the nursing home staff gives forth. If a patient is suffering physically or emotionally, GI problems and other ailments will start to appear.

The Cleveland Clinic states that gastrointestinal problems are divided up into several groups. The most common group is functional disorders. “Functional disorders are those in which the bowel looks normal but doesn’t work properly.” These problems frequently affect a “person’s colon and rectum and may result in constipation and irritable bowel syndrome.”

The Cleveland Clinic suggests some reasons why the majority of the population suffers from this group of painful digestion-related symptoms:

• Low fiber diet
• A lack of exercise
• A recent change in the routine or frequent travel
• Too much dairy
• Stress
• Not going to the bathroom when the need calls
• Overusing laxatives
• Taking antacids
• Taking other medications
  

The best solution is to find a nursing home that goes above the standard when it comes to providing a comfortable living area, and most importantly, a competent medical facility supervised by doctors and registered nurses.

If your aging relative has been the victim of nursing home neglect then you owe it to her to fight against this injustice. Do not allow your loved ones to be treated so disrespectfully. With a nursing home neglect and abuse lawyer’s help you may be able to win damages for medical bills, nursing home transfer and pain and suffering.

Call or complete our online form or call the Rasansky Law Firm at 1-877-405-4313.