Families often prefer to keep their aging loved ones at home, but unfortunately, this isn’t always possible. Even if your family chooses a nursing home with a solid reputation, it’s important to know that any nursing home resident can become injured due to negligence or abuse. Visit your loved one often and remain alert to the potential signs of negligence. If the resident does sustain unexplained injuries or illnesses, consult a nursing home abuse lawyer in Riverside immediately.
Medication Mistakes 
Medication errors can be especially tricky to detect, since family members cannot monitor their loved ones 24/7. But if you do notice that your loved one’s medical conditions seem to be worsening, it might be a sign that the nursing home staff isn’t administering the doses as prescribed. Consider having a frank discussion with your loved one’s doctor about this possibility. A physician can let you know about the side effects or symptoms that you should watch out for. If your loved one is hospitalized with a mysterious illness, you could ask if a blood test might reveal medication levels.
Dehydration
Dehydration is a major concern for responsible caretakers of elderly nursing home residents. As a person grows older, thirst recognition isn’t as strong. Plus, many medications can increase the risk of dehydration. Seniors suffering from dehydration may have dizziness, difficulty walking, confusion, low blood pressure, and a rapid heart rate. Since seniors are at a high risk of severe complications of dehydration, they should be seen at a hospital promptly if these symptoms occur. Bear in mind, however, that as a person approaches the end of life, he or she is likely to refuse food and water. Consider whether your loved one’s doctor has advised you to expect his or her impending death before jumping to conclusions about nursing home neglect.
Pressure Sores
Another common nursing home injury is pressure sores, also known as bedsores or pressure ulcers. Many nursing home residents have mobility restrictions. They need assistance at regular intervals to change their positioning and to transfer from a bed to a wheelchair. If a nursing home resident hasn’t been repositioned properly, pressure sores can quickly develop. They most commonly affect the hips, heels, back, ankles, and elbows. Pressure sores become progressively worse when not treated promptly. Eventually, the lesions can cause life-threatening infections .