Elderly people are at high risk for developing significant health complications. Specifically, older individuals have a higher susceptibility to skin infections, such as cellulitis. While skin infections are preventable and treatable, many elderly people contract these infections as a result of nursing home negligence or abuse. And unfortunately, this neglect can cause minor skin infections to turn into serious conditions that can cause long-term and permanent damage.
If you suspect that a close family member or friend is at risk for developing a skin infection due to neglect at their nursing home facility, it’s important to understand your legal rights. Working with a skilled nursing home abuse lawyer is the best way to ensure your loved ones are protected in situations of neglect and abuse. Here is some important information to know about skin infections in nursing homes.
What to Know About Skin Infections in Nursing Home Residents
The elderly are at a higher risk of contracting skin infections, such as bedsores, cellulitis, and conjunctivitis. Some of the factors that place older individuals at high risk for experiencing a skin infection include:
- Weak immune systems
- Wrinkled and thin skin
- Wounds that take longer to heal
- Pre-existing conditions, such as diabetes
These are a couple of factors that can cause elderly individuals to develop skin infections. However, in addition to these physical contributors, the environment and quality of care at nursing homes can also play an instrumental factor. Some factors that make skin infections in nursing homes more likely include:
- A consistent flow of visitors who expose nursing home residents to pathogens
- Understaffed facilities where the quality of care is not up to standards
- Exposure to medical devices, such as feeding tubes
- Close living quarters
All of these factors place elderly individuals in nursing home facilities at high risk for experiencing a skin infection.
What Is the Most Common Skin Infection in Nursing Home Facilities?
Senior citizens living in nursing home facilities can contract a variety of skin conditions. However, cellulitis is one of the most common skin infections experienced by nursing home residents. Because elderly individuals tend to have dry, cracked, and thin skin, they can easily contract cellulitis, as all it needs is a small crack in the skin for bacteria to enter. Some of the symptoms of cellulitis include:
- Swelling at the infection site
- Warm skin
- Pain with touch or movement
- Redness
While cellulitis is a relatively minor skin infection, if left untreated, it can damage the body’s immune system and cause chronic swelling of the affected area. If you suspect your loved one has contracted cellulitis or any other serious skin infection as a result of nursing home neglect or abuse, it’s important to contact a skilled nursing home abuse lawyer.
Contact an Expert Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer in New York City
If you suspect your loved one contracted a serious skin infection as a result of negligence or neglect, it’s important to contact the authorities and seek legal representation. Unfortunately, many nursing homes are plagued by significant understaffing, causing industry-wide problems of neglect and abuse. At Dalli & Marino, we are dedicated to fighting the injustices in the nursing home system.
Our seasoned New York nursing home abuse attorneys have been aggressively advocating for victims of nursing home abuse since 1996. We are committed to cultivating strong relationships with our clients through trusted, reliable communication. Our team of skilled attorneys approaches each case on an individual basis and is dedicated to helping you recover the money you deserve to compensate for your experience. Give us a call at (888) 465-8790 or complete our contact form today.
