Protect your loved one from nursing home abuse

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According to the American Geriatrics Society, 700,000 to 1.2 million individuals over the age of 65 are subject to abuse in the United States, with over 400,000 new abuse cases each year. With statistics like this, it can be worrisome if you have to place a loved one in the care of a nursing home facility. Therefore, it is imperative to the life of your loved one and to your piece of mind that you conduct a thorough investigation on several nursing homes before you choose one.

What should you look for? Understanding what to look for is an important aspect to making a final decision on the right nursing home. First of all, you should know what kind of treatment you and your loved one expect from a nursing home facility. Will there be planned activities? With there be social interactions with other residences in the nursing home? Even though your loved one is living else where, it is still important for their health to stay active physically and mentally.

Once you have placed your loved one in a nursing facility, there are many things you can do to have physical evidence that your loved one is being cared for in the proper way for his or her condition. The following are suggestions to verify proper treatment:
•   Vary your times of visit and visit frequently. Try not to have a visit routine, as this may be noted and any abuse that may be occurring will temporarily stop when you are expected. Be sure to vary your visits throughout the week, including the weekend and on holidays. Visiting around meal times may be a good way to prove that your loved one is being fed properly and regularly.
•   Speak to the aides and nurses about your loved one. Ask questions concerning nutrition, planned activities, medications, and other questions you may have regarding your loved one's daily routine. Form a relationship with these aides and let them know you appreciate all their help in caring for your loved one. Sometimes kind words and a show of appreciation may alter the nurses and aides attitude towards your loved one, and thus give better treatment.
•   Ask for meal schedules and medications schedules. It is important to know that your loved one is being fed proper, nutritious meals and that your loved one is also taking medications as ordered by his or her physician.
•   Ask your loved one how he or she is being treated. If an elderly individual is being mistreated, they may be embarrassed and not share that information. Let them know it is not their fault and that they will be protected if they are being abused.

Contact a nursing home abuse attorney now

Finding a proper nursing home for your loved one can be difficult for many reasons. The most troublesome is you never know how your loved one will be treated once they are in the hands of the facility. Knowing how to spot signs and how to protect your loved one is critical once they are in a nursing home.

Educate yourself on the various signs of abuse, and if you suspect abuse, contact the proper authorities for further information on how to proceed. Also contact Jim S. Adler & Associates for a free case review and a nursing home abuse lawyer.