Nursing home abuse takes many forms. It can be psychological, care-related, physical and even sexual in nature. However, by the time the abuse had occurred, the damage is done. The best thing to do is to take precautions to prevent nursing home abuse from happening in the first place.
Let’s say your mother recently needed to check into a nursing facility to provide for her needs. As a dutiful son, you’ve done a massive amount of research to pinpoint the best nursing home in the area. Nevertheless, you also know that nursing home abuse can happen anywhere, and you’re worried.
Follow this advice to prevent nursing home abuse
The following tips will help keep your mother safe from nursing home abuse:
- Investigate the care quality: Always monitor the level of care your mother is receiving. Look for signs that anything is amiss and ask questions whenever you suspect that a problem is present.
- Make surprise visits: Check in on your mother unannounced. Even visit her a couple times in one day to see how the care is at different times.
- Ask lots of questions: Be vigilant to ask many questions. Do you know how frantic and hyper-vigilant the parents of newborn babies are? They ask lots of questions and stay on top of every detail. Your mother once did this for you, and now it’s your turn to worry just as much about her.
- Verify the license of the nursing home: Nursing homes are sometimes operating without a license. Just because they’re open for business does not mean that they have a current or valid license to do so.
- Consider a hidden camera: If you’re worried about your loved one’s safety, consider installing a hidden camera inside his or her living quarters. You can even tell the nursing home about the camera to make sure they provide appropriate levels of care.
Take immediate action as soon as you suspect abuse
If you suspect that nursing home abuse has happened to your loved on at a nursing home, seek legal counsel immediately. An elder law injury lawyer can help you protect your loved one from further abuse. A lawyer can also pursue financial claims in civil court to get compensation to pay for your loved one’s damages caused by the abuse.