What Can You Do if a Nursing Home Isn’t So Sweet?

Nursing home abuseand neglect have become too frequent in today’s mass media. The Washington Post reportsthat there is an epidemic of “abuse, neglect and exploitation” plaguing theelderly in our communities.

However, millionsof families have been forced to make the difficult decision of placing a lovedone into a nursing home or assisted living community. They witness a onceself-sufficient family member become dependent upon others for the most basicof their day-to-day living needs.

In thesecircumstances, most seek the best possible care they can afford when placing aloved one into someone else's care. But the best care is not always what theyare given.

Nursing Home Abuse

Elderly people livingin nursing homes are vulnerable to a variety of harmful circumstances. It's upto family members to protect them from the nursing home neglect that could leadto severe injuries:

• Dehydration – elderly people are not always aware when they are thirsty and should be regularly offered drinking water
• Bedsores – when a bed-ridden person is not turned often enough the constant pressure on the same body areas will soon break the skin and lead to bedsores and infection
• Malnutrition – a busy staff may not always get around to feeding a stroke victim who has lost the use of an arm, or an Alzheimer’s sufferer who doesn’t realize that a food tray is in front of them
• Wandering – unless the staff is watchful or doors are locked, residents with any type of dementia are likely to leave the nursing home and may be hurt by traffic or a fall
• Falls – an elderly person with osteoporosis or failing eyesight is vulnerable to falling and should be monitored closely, perhaps given a Foley restraint when in bed or a chair

In addition toneglect there is sometimes also deliberate abuse which may be:

·        Physical

·        Emotional

·        Sexual

·        Financial

Abuse and neglect ofour frail elderly citizens is inhumane and intolerable. No one – especiallythose unable to defend themselves – should suffer mistreatment at the hands ofpeople trusted to care for them.

To be fair, thereare certainly nursing homes that give excellent care to their residents.However, many facilities keep a closer eye on their bottom line than on theirresidents. They employ poorly-trained staff and underpay them. As a result,they endanger the health and lives of their residents.

Take Action and Know Your Rights

If you are lookingfor a good nursing home, be sure to thoroughly investigate each one before choosingone to care for your loved one. There are specific things you can look for.Take note of smells, general cleanliness, the moods of other residents andwhether there are restricted areas you are not allowed to access.

It’s also importantto be familiar with the rights provided by the Nursing Home Reform Act of 1987.The law requires nursing homes to “promote and protect the rights of eachresident” and places a strong emphasis on individual dignity andself-determination. To participate in Medicare or Medicaid, nursing homes must protecttheir residents' rights. Residents have the right to:

·        Be fully informed

·        Participate in their own care

·        Make independent choices

·        Have privacy and confidentiality

·        Be treated with consideration, respect anddignity

·        Be free from abuse, both mental and physical

·        Complain without fear of retaliation

·        Receive visits from relatives, physicians andrepresentatives

If you notice thatyour loved one is being neglected or abused in their nursing home, do not delayin consulting an experienced nursing homelawyer. You may end up helping not only your loved one, but also the lovedones of others.