Nursing homes have a reputation that is questionable. Fortunately, there are facilities that provide quality care, but the high number of neglect claims overshadows their reputation. With that said, if you need help taking care of your loved one around the clock, skilled nursing facilities are going to be one of your few options. But, how do you protect them from becoming a victim of abuse?
Visit Frequently
A resident who has very few visitors is at a higher risk of abuse than a resident who has frequent visitors. Making your presence known throughout the day and evening is a great way to let the nursing home staff that you mean business. Also, during your visits take the time to question your loved one about the care they are receiving.
Face-To-Face Meetings With Staff
Surely, you want to keep up with your family member’s progress. Even though some people are under the impression that nursing homes are the last place the elderly will visit before they die, this is genuinely not true. Skilled nursing homes offer temporary and permanent care to people of all ages. For example, someone recovering from a fractured hip can move into a nursing home until they are independent again.
Request face-to-face meetings with the staff, supervisors and Director of Nursing at least twice a week. Let them know that you are very concerned about your loved one and your expectations. This will send out a warning that you will be monitoring their activity and your loved one’s progress around the clock.
Know Your Rights
If you are legally authorized to act on your loved one’s behalf, you will need to know your rights. Not only will you have the right to file a claim against the nursing if you have proof that your loved one is being abused, but also you have the right to sue them. Knowing your rights, so you can be fully prepared to take action if necessary.
Use Cameras
Do you suspect that your loved one is being abused when you’re nowhere near the nursing home? If so, you need to find out as quickly as possible. The good news is that there are plenty of things you can do. First and foremost, you’ll want to make sure that you’re using cameras. You can find cameras that can be hidden discreetly around your loved one’s room. They may upload to the Cloud automatically or the videos might be stored to an SD card. Either way, hidden cameras are going to provide you with a definite answer. If you have your suspicions, you should most definitely use cameras to find out the truth as quickly as possible.
Hire A Lawyer
If you suspect that you’re dealing with a case of nursing neglect, you should not hesitate to hire one of the best nursing neglect attorneys. They’ll prove to be immensely helpful in your fight against the nursing home. They’ll help you obtain crucial information. And, in the event that neglect has occurred, they’ll be able to help you sue and get the money that is rightfully yours!
