Whether you have placed your loved one in a nursing home after a hospital visit, through a transfer from another nursing home, or based on your own decision, you can expect their first day in a nursing home to be busy and challenging. This transition can be difficult, as their medical records will be transferred, their financial situation will be continuously tracked, and they may be have to go through many intake evaluations to help determine the level of care they need.
In addition to these common intake processes, they will have to adapt to a new environment, and unfamiliar surroundings. This can be a very stressful time for your loved one, but it is important to make sure they get the best care possible.
Reasons to Live in a Nursing Home
A nursing home, sometimes referred to as a “skilled nursing facility,” is a medical facility offering round-the-clock care for residents who are not able to be fully independent. An elderly person might not have family members or caregivers around to help with medical and personal needs, helping to provide the type of care necessary to maintain their health.
Nursing homes employ specially trained staff and medical professionals to assist residents in their day-to-day life. Additionally, most facilities offer a variety of activities for residents to stay active and continue to lead an engaging life. A nursing home can be a great way to ensure your loved one’s medical needs are met.
Your loved one’s health and well-being should be the priority as a resident in a nursing home, but sometimes the intake process can be difficult confusing, and exhausting, both physically and emotionally.
Care Your Loved One Can Expect to Receive in a Nursing Home
As part of your loved one’s intake process, a nursing home should evaluate their medical needs and create a care regimen that is right for them. While every situation and resident are different, the care your loved one can expect to receive might include the following:
- Room and board
- Medication management and administration
- Dressing, bathing, and daily personal care
- Recreational activities
- Access to 24-hour care for regular checkups and medical emergencies
- Physical therapy
Unfortunately, sometimes skilled nursing facilities fail to meet the needs of residents. In severe cases, elder abuse and neglect can occur. Sadly, it is estimated that approximately 1 in 6 adults over 60 years of age will experience a form of abuse in a community setting annually, according to the World Health Organization.
If you or a loved one is a victim of abuse or neglect in a nursing home, it is important to understand your legal options. Learning more about the types of neglect and abuse that can occur in nursing homes, and keeping an eye out for warning signs, will help you determine the next steps you can take in these scenarios.
For instance, if you suspect nursing home neglect or abuse in California, contact nursing home abuse attorneys from Los Angeles. They will explain the state’s statute of limitations for such claims and lawsuits, how the process works, what penalties the nursing home should expect for failing to report suspicious negligence-related or injury incidents, and so on. A thorough investigation and concrete legal action can help your loved one find the justice and the compensation they need and deserve.
For a free legal consultation, call (800) 842-6336
Types of Abuse in Nursing Homes
Everyone hopes the first day in a nursing home will be a positive experience, but the reality is that abuse can occur. Some of the most common forms of abuse in nursing homes include:
- Neglect
- Physical abuse
- Emotional abuse
- Abandonment
- Sexual abuse
- Financial abuse
Elder abuse in nursing homes can have long-term physical and emotional effects for the victim as well as their family and loved ones. You should be aware of the warning signs of abuse and neglect in nursing homes, in case someone you care about is a victim.
Warning Signs of Abuse and Neglect
Not all forms of abuse and neglect in a nursing home are as detectable as others, but common signs could include the following:
- Physical marks
- Emotional changes
- High staff turnover or unwillingness to fully answer questions
- Weight loss
- Unkempt physical appearance
Although warning signs are not perfect indicators of abuse or neglect in an elderly living facility, if your loved one has exhibited any of these signs it is important to learn more about the steps you can take.
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What You Can Do if Your Loved One Experienced Abuse or Neglect in a Nursing Home
Many nursing homes provide safe and positive environments for their residents; however, this is not always the case. If you are considering moving your loved one into a nursing home facility, remember that they deserve to be healthy and happy and to receive fair treatment.
Understanding the expectations of nursing home care can help you or your loved ones determine if abuse or neglect has occurred within a nursing home. If your loved one suffered abuse or neglect in a nursing home, we want to help you seek justice.
Call the team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today for a free consultation: (800) 842-6336. You and your loved one should not suffer anymore due to the neglect or abuse they suffered.
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