Nursing Homes: Are Mom and Dad in Danger?

http://www.nursinghomeabuseguide.org

Deciding to put parents in a nursing home is not an easy decision. Too often the children and grandchildren of the ailing and elderly face this difficult decision. Ideally, parents and grandparents are placed in a facility that both treats them with respect and handles them with care. Although many nursing homes succeed in performing a necessary and needed role in society, others fall far short of the their duties. Some nursing homes are ripe for abuse and neglect, which puts loved ones at even further risk in their last and most vulnerable years.

Nursinghomeabuseguide.org provides readers with an excellent source of information regarding nursing home abuse and neglect. As stated on the webpage, the cause of elder abuse is difficult to nail down. In fact, there are many causes. Among which are: “the quality of the nursing home and staff, personal issues of families, patients, and caregivers, as well as larger societal issues and influences. Naturally, nursinghomeabuseguide.org suggests that one thoroughly research any and all available nursing homes before placing mom or dad in the care of such facilities.

A prevalent factor to consider is whether a particular facility is understaffed. An inadequately staffed facility suffers from a variety of problems. Most obvious is the possibility of neglect, since caregivers are unable to give each patient the time and attention they deserve. Neglect is especially troubling for the elderly since it gives rise to a host of problems such a falls and bedsores. The webpage elaborates on the problems associated with poorly staffed facilities. Caregivers in such facilities are often overworked and stressed. Both factors contribute to the poor treatment of patients and ultimately abuse. Furthermore, poor staffed facilities often lack the time and resources to properly train caregivers, and or provide patients with adequate care.

Elder abuse can take on many forms: Alzheimer’s abuse, sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse and psychological abuse. Unfortunately some types of abuse are harder to detect than others. Sexual abuse is often overlooked due to the age of patients. Claims of psychological and emotional abuse are too often dismissed, especially when patients are experiencing fragile mental states. Exploiting the poor mental condition of patients for financial gain is common not only among caregivers, but family members as well. Financial exploitation is disguised in the form of miscellaneous facility chargers, and or well-intentioned gifts or loans. Above all, those with loved ones in nursing home facilities need to remain vigilant.

In addition to research, the webpage lays out other recommendations to ensure that a loved one is not victimized. It is best to place a loved one in a facility that specializes in the treatment of the particular aliment or aliments that the elderly family member is experiencing. Next, it is always prudent to regularly check in on the family member and staff of the facility on different days and times. One should not be afraid to ask uncomfortable question or express concerns. Lastly, speaking to the family members of other patients provides one with additional knowledge to better collaborate the quality or lack of care that a loved one is receiving.

If one discovers that a family member is being abused, seeking legal representation is prudent. Over the past 25 years, Attorney Kevin Garrison has represented numerous nursing home abuse clients. Garrison Law Firm ensures that nursing homes are held accountable by providing victims and their families with expert legal representation.