Deliberate Indifference To Serious Medical Needs

Have you experienced having a caregiver or health official neglecting or ignoring your health needs? We hope that this would not be the case for you. Deliberate indifference to serious medical needs is not just a battle with your conscience, but a criminal offense as well. It is important that we prioritize each other’s safety and health. Go to this page: https://www.shchatswoodmedicalcentre.com.au/ so you can get your loved one the proper care and treatment.

Deliberate Indifference to Serious Medical Needs

You may have heard of this term if you love watching crime drama series and movies during your spare time. Deliberate indifference, a violation of the Eighth Amendment, is a kind of misconduct offense by an official in a penitentiary of jail which basically means intentionally neglecting the need of a prisoner to seek medical care.

But truth be told, it can also happen even outside jails when we see someone experience maltreatment and overlooking one’s health complaints.

The Deliberate Indifference: Serious Medical Needs of Elderly

In a nursing home or retirement center like ours, it is but imperative that we oversee and anticipate all the needs of our elderly patients so we can provide the best care for them. We should know their comprehensive medical history, including their family history, allergies, and previous medical issues. This can help determine the level of care and attention they would require.

Here are some of the serious medical conditions that our patients complain about and what we consider and provide care to.

Arthritis

Any degenerative disease that hinders an elderly to move and perform his or her daily activities requires attention and supervision from health care personnel. Allowing them to exercise, take necessary medication, and participate in therapies that help improve their mobility can aid in making them independent, pain-free, and happy.

Heart Disease

As the leading deadliest disease in adults over 65 years of age, cardiovascular disease is notorious for making our elderly patients weary, lonesome, and bed-bound. They think that they can prevent themselves from developing any heart ailments if they do not participate in rigorous activities, or if they stay sedentary and avoid active programs.

However, instead of helping them, staying passive and isolated may increase their risk of having high cholesterol and blood pressure, which can contribute to a higher risk of having a stroke or developing a heart problem. We then encourage participation in physical activities, a healthy diet, and interacting with others as better ways to prevent cardiovascular diseases.

Cancer

It is common knowledge that anyone can fall victim to the Big C. Cancer does not overlook race, nationality, or genes; anyone can get it at any point in their lives. What makes the elderly special is that, like infants, they lack the ability to fight the disease. What’s more, is that research studies conclude that age is a great risk factor when developing cancer.

Cancer requires several diagnostic procedures and screenings as part of its detection and cure. Elderly patients need the attention and consideration of healthcare providers since this medical condition affects not just the physical aspect of the patient but even their emotional and mental well-being.

Alzheimer’s Disease

We see this medical condition in movies like The Notebook, The Savages, and Away From Her. The parent or a spouse experiences forgetfulness to the highest level – to the point where he or she forgets the people around him, even himself.

Alzheimer’s disease is an irreparable, permanent, and progressive brain health disease that slowly deteriorates one’s memory and cognitive abilities. This can, sooner or later, hinder troubled patients from performing the simplest of tasks.

Most people who developed Alzheimer’s disease experience and notice symptoms beginning at the age of 65. Experts who studied this medical condition imply that more than 50 million elderly around the world may have Alzheimer’s, diagnosed or not. This brain disorder can relate to dementia, which is the loss of cognitive functioning and basic behavioral abilities.

Diabetes

There is no denying it; life with diabetes gets tough as time goes by. Even the healthiest individual will complain. Maintaining healthy levels of sugar in your system requires conscious effort when it comes to your diet, activities, and medications.

Every passing day brings forth a different obstacle with unique challenges, and you must conquer each one if you want to stay healthy. As you get older, conquering those obstacles can become more demanding and difficult. Living with diabetes at an advanced age comes with the amplified danger of developing more than a few complications that require preventative care. Health care personnel should note the needs and requirements of their diabetic patient in order to care for them properly.

Osteoporosis

When it comes to mobility and stability, osteoporosis is, by far, the leading problem our elderly patients face. The loss of strength and firmness of one’s bones can prevent him from carrying out tasks, even simple walking, standing, and working out independently.

Low bone mass, as to how doctors describe this health condition, can put a patient at risk of falls and accidents, leading to fractures and more serious health issues.

Deliberate Indifference To Serious Medical Needs: Other Health Conditions

What we mentioned earlier are not the only serious health issues that we need to address when caring for our elderly patients or relatives. Here are some of the most common health conditions and risks that would require assistance and attention from family members and support staff.

• Respiratory diseases (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease or COPD)
• Viral or bacterial infections (flu or pneumonia)
• Falls (fractures of bone dislocation)
• Substance abuse
• Obesity
• Emotional struggles (depression or anxiety)
• Oral hygiene issues

Elderly susceptibility to serious health issues makes them feel helpless and vulnerable, making them feel burdensome and depressed. Family members and health care providers in retirement homes of nursing homes need to extend their helping hand in making sure that they feel secure and cared for. They are then in need of appropriate and accessible health care that they definitely deserve.