Anything shared builds community. But without proper sanitary measures, it could also breed infections. Although some cases heal with treatment, a deadly storm can occur when an untreated respiratory infection, like pneumonia, strikes a nursing home resident.
Respiratory infections attack someone’s sinuses, lungs or airways, making it challenging to breathe. Adults, aged 65 and up, with weak immune systems are particularly at risk. In fact, they are approximately six times more vulnerable to contracting pneumonia than other adults.
Suppose you have an aging parent showing signs of weight loss, chest pain, sore throat, runny nose, fever, chills or generally feeling unwell causing you to go in and out of the hospital. In that case, you may want to investigate further and target the possible root cause.
How nursing home neglect can cause respiratory infections
Communal surfaces, tight or enclosed living quarters, and frequent contact with other residents, visitors and staff may all contribute to disease-causing infections among elderly residents.
Minor operational lapses could eventually lead to dangerous nursing home practices such as the failure to:
- To provide adequate ventilation and hygienic supplies, like alcohol, sanitizer, soap, tissue, clean water and hand towel
- To wash, dry and store utensils, elderly care equipment, and soiled clothes or other linen
- To monitor the health wellness of visitors and staff with close access to the facilities and residents
- To maintain regular schedules for bathing and cleaning spaces with disinfectants
- To serve food and administer medication and other immune-boosting supplements properly
Once a resident becomes infected, the facility must immediately implement isolation procedures to prevent the contagion from spreading to the rest of the nursing home population.
Stop the spread
If your parent’s California nursing home failed to exercise their duty of care, you may stand up for your parent’s rights to seek damages. If you are also in your golden years, things may be more than you can handle. It will help to work with your legal team to ease your burdens in establishing a direct association between repeatedly severe practices and the resulting harm.