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Phoenix Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers Handling Bladder & Bowel Injury Claims
Caring advocacy when Arizona nursing homes neglect residents with bodily function disorders
Most nursing home residents get up in the middle of the night to urinate. Constipation, diarrhea, and incontinence are just some of the problems seniors live with day to day. If these conditions are not treated, nursing home residents in Phoenix may develop infections, kidney disorders, and other serious complications. That’s why nursing homes in Phoenix need to help seniors manage these bowel and bladder disorders and provide medical care when complications arise. Left untreated, bodily function disorders can cause much more than embarrassment and anxiety; they can cause permanent injuries and deaths.
At Garcia & Artigliere, our Phoenix nursing home abuse and neglect attorneys have more than 150 years of combined experience fighting for the elderly who suffer abuse and neglect. In 2022, our team obtained more than $50 million for our clients. Our record of impressive settlements and verdicts is based on our complete understanding of the strategies and protocols nursing homes should have in place to help residents avoid, manage, and receive treatment for bladder and bowel disorders. We work with urologists, proctologists, and other physicians who diagnose and treat bowel and bladder infections, and other bodily function disorders. Call our Arizona attorneys today to learn more about how nursing homes need to protect their residents from bladder and bowel disorders.
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- What kinds of bladder disorders do nursing home residents in Phoenix suffer?
- What treatments are used for bladder disorders in Phoenix?
- What kinds of bowel disorders do nursing home residents in Phoenix suffer?
- What treatments are used for bowel disorders?
- How does your firm show nursing home neglect was the cause of a resident’s bladder or bowel disorders?
- How is the value of my Arizona bladder or bowel injury claim determined?
- Do you have a nursing home bladder or bowel attorney injury near me?
What kinds of bladder disorders do nursing home residents in Phoenix suffer?
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) states that “urinary incontinence has been estimated to affect between 50% and 65% of nursing home residents, and a majority of these residents also have [fecal incontinence].
The urinary tract consists of the bladder, uterus, urethra, and kidneys. The kidneys filter the blood and create urine. Urine travels through the uterus to the bladder. The bladder stores the urine.
Johns Hopkins Medicine states that:
When the bladder and bowel function normally, nerves tell certain muscles when to tense up and when to relax. Nerves in the spinal cord send messages from the brain to the bladder. Sphincter muscles control the flow of urine. Muscles in the rectum and anus control or release stool. These nerve and muscle processes allow urine and feces to be removed when you want them to.
Common bladder disorders, according to the UV Irvine Health Department of Urology, include:
- Overactive bladder. This disorder causes a nursing home resident to need to urinate numerous times during the day or more than just one time at night. Symptoms include leakage, not being able to postpone the need to void, and strong urges to urinate.
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs). A UTI is an infection in any part of the urinary system. Most infections involve the bladder and the urethra. The consequences can be severe if the UTI spreads to the kidneys.
- Urinary incontinence. This bladder disorder is the loss of bladder control. Difficulties can include occasional leaking when a resident sneezes or coughs and sudden strong urges to urinate when the resident doesn’t have time to get to the bathroom.
- Neurological bladder conditions. These disorders include voiding difficulties, urinary incontinence, urinary tract infections, pelvic pain, and kidney disorders.
The signs and symptoms of bladder disorders vary depending on the type of bladder disorder. Nursing home staff members in Phoenix should be concerned if a resident’s urine color changes, the urine smells, or the urine is cloudy. Other symptoms include a burning sensation when urinating, only passing small amounts of urine, pelvic pain in women, chills and fever, unexplained weight loss, anemia, and other symptoms.
Nursing homes must recognize how dangerous bladder disorders are in seniors because they can become life-threatening.
What treatments are used for bladder disorders in Phoenix?
The treatments Phoenix nursing homes should use based on consultations with experienced urologists include dietary changes; exercises to strengthen the sphincter muscles and pelvic floor; medications such as antidiarrheal medicines, bladder relaxation medications, and antibiotics for infections; and regular bathroom schedules. Other treatments may include electronic stimulation, cancer-fighting treatments, lifestyle changes, and surgery.
What kinds of bowel disorders do nursing home residents in Phoenix suffer?
Bowel disorders that Phoenix nursing home residents may develop include constipation, diarrhea, and fecal incontinence. Other disorders include irritable bowel disease (a long-term gastrointestinal disorder), diverticulitis, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis.
Fecal impaction, another dangerous bowel disorder according to the Cleveland Clinic, occurs when feces back up inside the large intestine. Nearly 50 percent of seniors in nursing homes develop fetal impaction due to medication side effects, mobility difficulties, and neurological disorders. Fecal impaction is incredibly painful. It SHOULD be prevented. Left untreated, the bowel can perforate or hemorrhage, both of which may be deadly.
Phoenix nursing homes also need to be on the alert for gastroenteritis, which is an inflammation of the stomach and intestines caused by a viral infection. Gastroenteritis can spread quickly if the residents aren’t instructed by a Phoenix nursing home to emphasize washing their hands or if the water supply becomes contaminated.
What treatments are used for bowel disorders?
The treatments for bowel disorders depend on the type of disorder. Nursing homes in Phoenix may be able to treat bowel disorders on their own. Alternatively, they should consult with family doctors, gerontologists, bowel disorder specialists, and other physicians.
Possible treatments include medications such as anti-inflammatory drugs for inflammatory bowel disease, antibiotics for infections, and other medications. Loperamide is often used for diarrhea.
Enemas and laxatives may help with constipation and fecal incontinence. Fixed toilet schedules may help. In some cases, the medical staff may need to manually empty the feces.
How does your firm show nursing home neglect was the cause of a resident’s bladder or bowel disorders?
Nursing homes in Phoenix know in advance that bladder and bowel disorders and complications are likely. They should have policies in place to prevent, examine, and treat bowel and bladder disorders. These policies should include:
- Strategies and remedies to prevent and treat infections
- Understanding when and how to use a catheter
- Understanding bladder or bowel disorder symptoms
- Reviewing the policies with licensed medical professionals and consulting with these professionals whenever symptoms arise
- Arranging for emergency medical transport to a local Phoenix hospital when necessary
- Developing individual care plans for each resident
How is the value of my Arizona bladder or bowel injury claim determined?
At Garcia & Artigliere, our Phoenix elder abuse and neglect lawyers are skilled at holding nursing homes liable when they fail to reasonably prevent and treat known problems such as bowel and bladder disorders. We demand compensation for the resident’s medical bills, daily physical pain and emotional suffering, loss of quality of life, anxiety and embarrassment, and any financial damages.
We also file wrongful death claims if a preventable or treatable bowel or bladder disorder takes the life of your loved one.
Do you have a nursing home bladder or bowel attorney injury near me?
Garcia & Artigliere represents residents of nursing homes in Phoenix when neglect causes or worsens bladder and bowel disorders. Our lawyers are respected nationwide for our advocacy on behalf of the elderly.
Speak with our Arizona nursing home and bowel and bladder attorneys today
Most nursing home residents have some difficulty going to the bathroom on occasion. When neglect causes chronic or permanent bowel or bladder disorders, nursing homes should be held accountable for the physical and emotional harm they cause. When competent treatment is delayed or is not provided, the trauma of incontinence, diarrhea, and other bladder and bowel disorders can be unbearable.
At Garcia & Artigliere, we’ve been fighting for nursing home residents since 1993. Our Phoenix nursing home bladder and bowel disorder attorneys have helped thousands of elderly clients obtain strong recoveries. Call us or contact us today to schedule a free case evaluation. We maintain additional offices in Los Angeles, Long Beach, Louisville, and New Orleans. We serve clients throughout America. There are no upfront costs and we do not receive compensation unless your claim is successful.
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