Elder abuse can come in many forms, including physical abuse and neglect. Many things can constitute physical abuse or neglect, including an elderly nursing home or assisted living resident being choked or choking due to failure to adhere to medical precautions. In general, elder abuse is becoming a serious problem in our society. One way to combat elder abuse is to learn more about the topic and be ready to step in to help a loved one if the need arises.
Choking in Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities
For elderly residents in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, there are many dangers they may face. One of these dangers is choking. While it may sound like it should be an uncommon occurrence, elderly residents do suffer from choking abuse and neglect. This can occur through both physical abuse and also through neglect when an elderly person has special medication and food restrictions that are not followed.
Elderly residents may become injured or even die because a nursing home staff member is unaware of their special medical needs. One example of this is delivering medications that cause mouth and throat dryness, which could result in choking if certain precautions are not taken. Additionally, some elderly adults have medical conditions involving neurological issues that can prevent normal swallowing functions. If special care is not given to these residents, serious consequences can occur. For injuries that result from these kinds of issues, negligence on behalf of the nursing home or assisted living facility is often a major cause.
Additionally, food-related choking can lead to serious injury or death in nursing homes. Elderly individuals over the age of 65 are especially susceptible. For those that have difficulty swallowing for a number of reasons, special care must be used when taking care of them. If a facility is understaffed, caretakers may not have the time to review charts and provide proper care.
If you or a loved one has suffered from choking while living in a nursing home or assisted living facility, contact us today at The Peck Law Group. We can help you with your claim for compensation for these injuries.
About the Author
Attorney Steven Peck has been practicing law since 1981. A former successful business owner, Mr. Peck initially focused his legal career on business law. Within the first three years, after some colleagues and friend’s parents endured nursing home neglect and elder abuse, he continued his education to begin practicing elder law and nursing home abuse law.