Breaking News for Culpeper and Warrenton Accident Victims

Younger and younger residents needing Virginia nursing home care

Posted on Feb 28, 2011

As Americans live longer and our healthcare improves, you might think that this would mean that the average age of Virginia nursing home residents is rising. It makes sense, if everyone is healthier and living longer than in years past. However, you’d be wrong.

As economic pressures continue to push hospitals and families forced to care for adults of every age with serious injuries or serious health problems, nursing homes are becoming a place to house people needing around the clock care. This is because care can’t be provided by a hospital or family due to economic or personal reasons.

What types of issues cause people in their 40s or 50s to find themselves in Virginia nursing homes?

Serious obesity is the leading cause of younger persons finding themselves in nursing homes. Obesity can lead to difficult to control diabetes and other problems that requires constant care.
Side-effects from alcohol or drug abuse, especially if a patient’s liver or kidneys have failed (dialysis is becoming more common in some nursing homes).
More recovery time needed after major surgery. Sometimes the hospital or insurance carrier has a 3 day limit on hospital recovery time, but if the individual needs around-the-clock care after 3 days and can’t go home, they may need help from a nursing home.
Serious injuries that result in paralysis, brain injury or another injury that requires short or long-term 24-hour care.

Will Virginia nursing homes be able to keep up with all of these new, younger patients – or will we start seeing different types of abuse and neglect cases crop up?