It’s an unfortunate fact – many nursing homes are not run properly and fail to follow important regulations or fail to hire competent staff. Below is a shocking news report featuring textbook nursing home abuse:
This may lead you to ask a very important question:
How can I protect my loved ones from nursing home abuse and elder care neglect?
Although you can’t watch your elder loved ones every minute of every day, you can do research into the home you choose for them and keep and eye out for warning signs of abuse and neglect such as bed sores, emotional withdrawal, or disappearing money. Elder abuse can come in many harmful forms.
Here are some tips from the National Institute on Aging about how to find the right nursing home for your family’s circumstances:
- Make sure the nursing home you choose is approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). This organization inspects elder care facilities each year to ensure they are safe and effective.
- Visit each home at least twice. Look for handicap access. Check out their food choices. Note strong odors and general cleanliness. Look at and talk to the residents. The second time, visit without calling and try to observe some activities or a mealtime.
- Ask questions. Specifically, ask how long the upper management has been in place. Frequent shifts in these positions could mean trouble.
- Understand what is most important to you and your loved one. – Location? Environment? Cost? Different families has different needs – just be sure you understand what the specific needs are for you and your loved one.