As people age, they may have difficulty taking care of themselves and need assistance with their daily activities. When this is the case, nursing homes can be a great option for providing quality healthcare and support to your loved ones.
With nursing homes offering round-the-clock supervision and assistance with everyday tasks such as bathing, dressing, eating, medication management, and more, you can rest assured that your elderly family members are in safe hands.
However, nursing homes should be selected carefully to ensure your loved one will receive the best possible care. You should also keep an eye out for signs of nursing home abuse or neglect so that you can contact a nursing home abuse lawyer if necessary. This article will share valuable advice on how to choose a suitable facility, what traits you should steer away from, and how to take action if there is any indication of maltreatment.
What Is Considered a Good Nursing Home?
When selecting a nursing home for your family member, make sure to schedule an appointment to visit the facility in person. To avoid the “chandelier effect” (where nursing homes may be lavish and inviting, but offer subpar services), plan a second visit unannounced to get an accurate idea of the nursing home. During your visit, pay attention to these three following factors:
1. Quality of Care
Quality care should be the first priority when picking a nursing home for your loved one. You want to ensure that your family member is safe and well cared for in their new environment. Factors that indicate quality of care include:
- Friendly staff
- Quick response time
- Adequate staffing levels
- Cleanliness of the nursing home
- Cleanliness of residents’ grooming
- Nutritious and appetizing meals on the menu
2. Enjoyable Activities
It’s also important to make sure that your family member feels comfortable in their new nursing home by finding out what type of activities they offer. Activities such as outings, classes, or social events can help boost morale and prevent feelings of loneliness or depression.
3. Specialized Nursing Home
You may also want to consider nursing homes that specialize in particular needs such as memory care, physical therapy, and other medical services. This ensures that your family member is getting the right type of treatment for their conditions.
What Are Red Flags for Nursing Homes?
When visiting nursing homes, watch out for certain signs that can indicate nursing home abuse or neglect. These red flags include:
- Unsanitary living conditions
- Inadequate staff levels or untrained staff
- Unusual patterns of billing or hidden fees
- Staff members with poor attitudes and a lack of communication skills
- Residents who are often unkempt, withdrawn, or displaying signs of physical/emotional distress
If you notice any of these red flags during your nursing home visits, contact a nursing home abuse lawyer immediately to take action.
Is Your Loved One Experiencing Neglect? Call a Lawyer
Unfortunately, nursing home neglect and abuse can occur. According to the U.S. Justice Department, caregiver neglect is one of the most frequent types of elder abuse, yet remains significantly underreported with only 1 out of every 57 cases of neglect being brought to light.
If you believe that your loved one is being mistreated in their nursing home setting, take action right away. Speak with a nursing home abuse lawyer who can assess the situation and determine if and how legal action should be taken. Your nursing home abuse lawyer will have experience dealing with nursing home abuse cases and will be able to help you move forward in filing a claim.
Be sure that you consult your nursing home abuse lawyer on the following:
- A detailed timeline of events leading up to the alleged neglect
- All paperwork related to nursing home admission, medical records, financial statements, and any other documents relevant to the case
Seek Justice with the Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers at PMHP
At PMHP, we understand the gravity of nursing home abuse matters and are committed to helping nursing home residents who have been victims of neglect obtain justice. Our nursing home abuse lawyer team is dedicated to representing clients in nursing home negligence cases and will fight for your loved one’s rights and best interests.
Schedule a free consultation with us today to restore the respect and attention your loved one deserves.