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Nursing home residents have rights, and one of the most basic rights is the ability to speak up about poor treatment in the facility. However, despite legal protections at the federal and state level, residents do not always have that freedom in practice, in part because they fear they will face retaliation from staff and...

When placing your loved one in an Alabama nursing home, you presumably expect a safe environment that provides the best possible care. After all, that's what nursing homes are designed for. A regular nursing home inspection of an Alabama facility is an important part of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our elderly population....

A recent report has placed Alabama near the bottom of the list when it comes to the quality of nursing home and home-based care, ranking the state 50th out of 51. This ranking underscores the urgent need for significant improvements in the quality of care provided in nursing homes and home-based settings. Among the myriad...

Seniors 65 and older face a significantly higher risk of choking and asphyxiation. Researchers estimate that up to 40 percent of elderly nursing home residents experience difficulty swallowing. At Shuttlesworth Law Firm, P.C., we understand that this risk is a serious concern and that choking incidents are often signs of nursing home negligence. Choking can...

Nursing home facilities are responsible for the health and safety of residents. But every year, many residents suffer concussions that are the result of nursing home neglect. A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) that can occur when someone suffers a head injury – and it can have a significant impact on well-being...

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a widespread medical concern among nursing home residents, particularly older adults. Alarmingly, numerous cases of UTIs in long-term care facilities are rooted in neglect and abuse toward residents. This raises significant questions: What factors contribute to the prevalence of UTIs in nursing homes? What are the underlying reasons for their...

A new Supreme Court ruling may have made it easier for individuals in Alabama and across the U.S. to sue nursing homes that abuse and neglect residents. Residents have the right to demand justice for violations In a 7-2 decision, the court affirmed an earlier court ruling that determined when an individual nursing home resident's...

With just 10 inspectors statewide, Alabama is facing a crisis. Nursing homes are held to high standards of safety and ethical conduct because they are responsible for some of the most vulnerable people in our society. Those standards are enforced by state inspectors who investigate allegations of safety violations to protect residents' rights and quality...

In nursing homes, a significant number of residents suffer severe injuries, such as broken bones, as a result of falls. What makes matters worse is that many of these injuries could have been avoided if not for nursing home abuse and neglect. That's why it is essential for family members and loved ones to recognize...

Understaffing often leads to nursing home abuse & neglect The pandemic has had a devastating impact on the healthcare industry, particularly on eldercare and care for people with disabilities. According to a recent article in Politico, the number of nursing home employees in the United States dropped from 1.5 million in February 2020 to 1.3...