Every year in this nation, there are millions of people who suffer broken bones. For many people, their bones heal within six to eight weeks. Elderly individuals, however, are affected far worse because broken bones can be extremely dangerous injuries for older people to recover from. Unfortunately, broken bones in elderly people take longer to heal and can even lead to many other health issues.

Sadly, elderly individuals living in nursing homes are at great risk for suffering broken bones. Whether from falling, nursing home negligence and abuse, or staff inexperience, many nursing home patients suffer broken bones and other serious injuries. While some broken bones can heal on their own, most broken bones for elderly people require surgery due to their weakened bones.

Common Bone Breaks and Outcomes

Here are the different types of bone breaks and the outcomes of these breaks:

  • Traumatic fractures. When nursing home residents fall or are dropped by nursing home workers, they may suffer bone breaks that require surgery and a lengthy healing time. Unfortunately, these types of bone breaks often cause damage to the surrounding nerves and vessels.
  • Compression fractures. Elderly individuals are at a higher risk of developing a compression fracture due to their fragile bones and osteoporosis. This type of fracture can occur from walking and may not be from a specific incident. While these types of fractures are painful, treatment usually includes rest, bracing, pain medication, and physical therapy.
  • Stress fractures. Older adults may suffer tiny cracks in their bones, which often occur in their feet and legs over time. While nursing home staff members might not be responsible for this type of injury, they are responsible for monitoring their residents for such injuries and pain and swelling, and to get them the proper treatment.

Broken Bones: Far More Serious Than You May Realize

If your elderly loved one has suffered from a broken bone injury in a Sarasota nursing home, it could indicate that there is a far more serious problem in that facility—such as understaffing, staff inexperience, or nursing home neglect and abuse. It is the nursing home’s responsibility to take care of their residents, pay attention to them, and take proper precautions so that residents aren’t at risk for suffering broken bones.

A broken bone is not to be overlooked. When a resident of a nursing home suffers a broken bone, family members of that resident should demand answers as to how this type of injury occurred. It is important that families don’t let nursing homes off the hook for a broken bone injury. This is why it is essential that families of those affected by broken bones take action and seek compensation for their loved one’s pain and suffering, and medical bills.

It is important to speak out against a nursing home so that they don’t get away with neglecting the residents. One way you can do so is to share this article on Google Plus. By doing this, you can make others aware of this problem in nursing homes.

Damian Mallard, Esq.
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Board Certified Sarasota Personal Injury Attorney