Southern California Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Blog
Elder abuse is prevalent in Carlsbad, and many families seeking out nursing homes for their elderly loved one worry about nursing home abuse and neglect. According to an article in Health & Fitness CheatSheet, there are many things that nursing homes do not want patients to know—from information contained within admission contracts to the problems and limitations facing residents within the facility. If you are considering a particular nursing home or assisted-living facility for your loved one, you should always do as much research as possible into the facility, including looking at records of violations and visiting the facility itself to get a sense of the space. In addition, you might consider some of the following issues, which, according to the article, nursing homes may not want you to know.
Many Residents are Isolated from One Another in Nursing Homes
It is important for nursing home residents to have interaction with other people and to be able to socialize. However, residents often do not have as much freedom to move around the facility as they would like, and many feel isolated from other residents. According to the article, in a recent study, about 50% of nursing home patients interviewed reported that they “felt depressed due to a lack of independence and freedom, as well as loneliness.”
What can you do to ensure that your parent or loved one moves into a facility where there is the opportunity for significant social interaction? Look for nursing homes with programs that are specifically designed to reduce residents’ “sense of isolation from others,” and observe whether residents in a particular facility appear to be isolated during your visit to the facility.
Nursing Home Residents Often Malnourished Due to Loss of Appetite
Even if a nursing home provides meals for residents, it is important to know that seniors in these facilities often experience a loss in appetite for a wide variety of reasons. As such, the best nursing homes typically will provide a wider variety of meals that will encourage residents to each regularly throughout the day and to have a well-balanced diet.
Nursing Staff May be Temporary Nurses
You want to be sure that your elderly loved one will have quality care from the nurses staffed at the facility, and this often means forming a close bond with the residents. However, while permanent nurses are required to be on staff at nursing homes in California, there may be a number of nurses on staff who are only temporary. The article recommends selecting a nursing home with a high percentage of permanent nurses on staff.
Your Loved One Likely Will Need to Find New Doctors
It is often difficult for nursing home patients to continue seeing the physicians with whom they have built relationships since nursing homes work with particular doctors. When you visit a facility, you should ask whether your elderly relative will be able to continue seeing her doctor if she moves into the facility.
Seek Advice from a Carlsbad Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
If you are concerned about elder abuse at your loved one’s nursing home or assisted-living facility, you should speak with a Carlsbad nursing home abuse lawyer about your case. Contact the Walton Law Firm today to learn more about how we can assist you.
See Related Blog Posts:
Preventing Valley Center Nursing Home Abuse
How Corporate Interests Affect Nursing Home Neglect Cases
(image courtesy of Alex Boyd)
