A senior woman looking out her window waiting for something
When looking to place your loved one in a nursing home, do your research to make sure the home you choose is a good fit.
The Nursing Home Reform Act is a guideline nursing homes follow in order to receive funding for Medicare and Medicaid services. The Act gives residents the right to their:
- Freedom from abuse or neglect
- Privacy
- Being treated with dignity
- Ability to communicate freely
- Participation in groups
- Accommodation of needs
Many nursing home facilities don’t follow the guidelines. In those facilities, nursing home abuse has become prevalent.
While touring possible nursing homes, notice if caretakers are responsive and treat residents with respect. Also, try to find out what residents have to say about their experience.
What else should you look for while touring possible nursing homes?
Adequate Staffing
Nursing homes need enough staff members to give residents the proper care they deserve. When nursing homes are understaffed, caregivers have too many responsibilities to properly monitor patients, prepare their medications, and prevent risks of falling or wandering.
If the person showing you around the nursing home seems overworked and inaccessible during your tour, it’s likely that they operate this way among residents.
Hygiene
Hygiene is necessary in a facility of individuals with compromised immune systems. There is already high risk of infection in nursing homes. When touring facilities with your loved one, observe residents’ rooms and check common areas such as elevators, hallways, and kitchens to make sure they comply with health standards. You can also detect poor hygiene by the cleanliness of other residents, especially if you notice any bedsores.
Noise
Living in a peaceful environment is essential for nursing home residents. They are likely stressed due to relocating to a new place, and shouldn’t have to be startled by chaos. Staff members and residents should communicate calmly, especially around individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
Freedom
Aside from a calm, clean, well-monitored environment, residents must feel that they still have their individuality. When touring nursing homes, ask about the measures they take to provide choices for residents. Even though nursing homes need to enforce rules, they can provide different options for food, group activities, or even residents’ clothing.
Moving to a nursing home facility will likely cause individuals to feel that they are losing their freedom. No matter what, residents should feel that they are in a place of comfort and care. Make sure your loved one will be taken care of at their facility before they become a permanent resident. This can prevent stress, discomfort, malnutrition, abuse, and more.
Nursing Home Abuse
1 in 10 adults over the age of 65 suffer from elder abuse. Millions of elderly individuals live in nursing homes, which are, unfortunately, common locations for abuse and neglect. There are different types of nursing home abuse, including:
- Emotional abuse
- Financial abuse
- Physical abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Neglect
For a free legal consultation, call (800) 842-6336
Know Your Rights
You should know yours and your loved ones’ rights before relocating them to a nursing home. Nursing home abuse still happens today, and if you ever feel that your loved one is being harmed, you can call Pintas & Mullins to investigate your potential case. Pintas & Mullins regularly fight for victims of nursing home abuse, contact one of our experienced nursing home abuse attorneys at (800) 794-0444.
Call or text (800) 842-6336 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
