Placing an elderly loved one into a nursing home is always a difficult decision. As your family members age, it can become harder and harder for them to take care of themselves. They may even be at risk of falls or other home incidents, and without a dedicated in-home caretaker, life in a nursing home may be their best option for safety, happiness, and quality medical care.
Many nursing home residents develop wonderful feelings of home and community within their nursing homes. A well managed nursing home with trained and caring staff can offer a great environment for an aged individual to achieve comfort and happiness later in life.
However, sadly not all nursing homes are well managed. Nursing home abuse and neglect has become a serious issue, impacting families across America. Some abusive situations may simply be caused by negligence or poorly trained staff. Shockingly, some other abuses may result from sadistic or predatory employees.
In either case, nursing home abuse is a serious issue that families need to be aware of. If you have an elderly family member residing in a nursing home, look for these signs to avoid potentially tragic consequences
1) Major changes in elder’s emotional or physical state. While adjusting to a new living environment always carries some stresses, if you notice abrupt and negative changes in personality, emotional state, or appearance, this is an immediate warning sign. While some homes may explain changes as a result of worsening mental state or medical issues, you should be ready to question this claim, if you have any doubts at all.
2) Nursing home staff delays, interrupts, or closely monitors visits. If you’re always stuck waiting every time you make an unplanned visit to the nursing home, this could be a sign that conditions are not generally acceptable. Additionally, if a staff member is always present during your visit, this may indicate an overly controlling environment or some form of ongoing abuse.
3) Seemingly excessive medication or sedation. If your elderly family member doesn’t have any serious mental issues (such as anxiety or schizophrenia), there may not be a need for heavy mental sedation. Additionally, if sedative medication has been greatly increased since the patient has entered the home, this may be cause for suspicion.
4) Negative feedback from your elderly family member. While it may seem obvious, be sure to listen to what the nursing home resident says about the quality of their care. Some families have brushed off concerns expressed by nursing home patients as symptoms of mental decline, only to have them proved correct later on. By paying close attention to the feedback you get from your aged relatives, you’ll be able to get a clear picture of the quality of the nursing home.
Hopefully these signs will help you observe the quality of the nursing home you’ve selected, and ensure that your elderly friend or family member is being treated with dignity and respect. If you believe that anyone you know may have been the victim of nursing home abuse or neglect, please Contact Us today for a free case consultation.