For many of us, a time will come when we need more care than we can get living independently or even in an assisted facility. Often this time comes because of aging, but it can happen earlier in life, too, due to accident or illness. Our job as family members or trusted friends is to look out for our loved ones as they age. Unfortunately, it often falls on families to protect their loved ones from abuse and neglect situations at nursing facilities. Here are some things to think about when or if the time comes.
Before You Decide on Nursing Care
Before your loved one goes into a nursing home, it is good to do some research ahead of time. Then, you should pick out a facility where you can be confident your friend or family member will get the care they need, including their emotional well being.
Is a Nursing Home Necessary?
Before you go hunting for the perfect facility, it might make sense to be sure a nursing home is absolutely necessary. Aging in place, or, in the case of a younger person, staying in the home, can keep your loved one connected to you and society. Removing someone from their friends, family, and community can be stressful and cause loneliness. Research suggests that aging in place can have better outcomes in cognition, depression, activities of daily living, and incontinence. In addition, keeping your loved one connected to their community could help prevent depression, anxiety, and isolation. Many resources are available to help people age in place or stay in their homes with permanent or temporary disabilities.
Research Facilities Ahead of Time
Before you commit your loved one to a nursing home, make sure you have checked out the options and made the best choice with them. Medicare.gov’s Care Compare tool is a great resource to learn about your options. But don’t stop there! Talk to members of your community, especially doctors, nurses, and anyone who does social work that might give them insights (people like Meals on Wheels delivery workers or people in your church). Tour different facilities, and try to talk to residents to get a sense of how they feel about their home.
When Your Loved One Is in a Nursing Home
Unfortunately, nursing homes don’t always live up to the trust we put in them. Keep in close contact with your loved one, and look out for:
- Broken hips or other fall injuries
- Pressure ulcers
- Malnutrition
- Unexplained injuries
- Dehydration
- Signs of abuse
These are all things that can happen when a nursing home is neglecting its duties to your loved one. Trust your intuition and follow up if you notice anything like this or even feel like something is a little bit off. You have the right to speak to the people in charge and demand change, and you can also contact your state’s department of health or the ombudsman’s office to request an investigation. If you find out that your loved one has been abused or neglected, contact local Personal Injury Attorneys. Not only might your loved one be entitled to compensation for abuse and neglect, sometimes, a lawsuit is an effective way to hold a nursing home accountable and bring about change in the future.
