Reports indicate that over 24 percent of nursing home residents suffered some type of physical abuse. That is why making the decision to place your loved one in a nursing home is so hard. You may worry about their health and the quality of care they receive. Yet, because you are not there, you may feel there is little you can do. Fortunately, there are still ways you can protect your loved one. Family members can help ensure that their loved ones receive good nursing home care from the start. While you cannot prevent every adverse situation from occurring, there are steps you can take to reduce the likelihood of harm. Remember, you are your loved one’s best advocate, and advocacy starts with involvement.
STEPS TO ENSURE GOOD NURSING HOME CARE
When a loved one is in a nursing home, family members often feel helpless. They do not feel needed anymore to provide care. While nursing homes can take away some of the caregiving burdens, there is still so much you can do to help. If you have concerns about your loved one receiving good nursing care, follow these steps.
STEP 1: VISIT FREQUENTLY
The number one way to ensure good nursing home care is to visit your loved one frequently. When you visit, you are sending a clear message that you are going to stay involved in their care. Visiting also allows you the opportunity to notice when things aren’t right. You also get to see the kinds of choices that caregiving staff make. Do they help your loved one participate in activities? Are they keeping up with their personal hygiene? By visiting your loved one frequently and at different times of the day, you can spot red flags quickly.
STEP 2: PAY ATTENTION
When you visit, it is important to pay close attention to everything. Notice how busy the staff is and what other residents are doing. When you call for assistance, how quickly does the staff come? Pay attention to the cleanliness of your loved one’s room as well as the rest of the unit and residents. Keep an eye out for signs of neglect or harm as well as isolation. Nursing home caregivers are often overworked due to issues such as understaffing. This can lead to serious neglect and isolation. Pay close attention to how the staff members interact with residents and each other.
STEP 3: KNOW THE SIGNS
It is vital to know the signs of abuse and neglect. It’s also important to understand the different types of abuse and how they differ from neglect. Unexplained injuries or illnesses may raise concerns that your loved one is not receiving good nursing home care. There are also subtle emotional changes to watch for, such as depression or agitation. These changes might indicate a more serious problem, such as emotional abuse. Family members who can recognize the signs of abuse have a better chance of protecting their loved ones.
CONTACT OUR ARIZONA NURSING HOME ABUSE ATTORNEYS TODAY
If your loved one is in a nursing home in Arizona, it is important to remain active and involved in their care. There are many steps family members can take to ensure good nursing home care. However, sometimes in spite of these efforts, nursing home abuse can still occur. When this happens, you need an experienced Arizona nursing home abuse attorney in your corner. At Miller Kory Rowe LLP, we can help hold negligent institutions accountable. We offer a free initial consultation so you can review all your legal options. Call us at (602) 648-4045 or fill out our confidential contact form.