If your loved one is going to live in a nursing home, there’s probably one fear that is ever-present in your mind: the fear that your loved one could become the victim of nursing home abuse.
While it’s true that many cases of nursing home abuse and neglect appear in the news, it’s also true that there are many excellent long-term care facilities that take excellent care of their residents. When you’re diligent and attentive, you can make sure that your loved one receives the highest level of care and does not become a victim of neglect.
Let’s see how you can prevent nursing home neglect
Here are a few tips to keep you and your family neglect-free while living in nursing homes:
Support your loved one during his or her long-term care transition. Your loved one may feel a sense of loss or abandonment when the decision is made to send him or her to a long-term care facility. It will also be difficult for your loved one to manage the details of finding a nursing home and moving to the home all by him- or herself. By supporting your loved one psychologically and emotionally through this process, you can help select the best nursing home and make sure that he or she is in the best of spirits while living there.
Visit your loved one regularly. Individuals who receive frequent visits from relatives tend to have the least chances of being neglected or abused at a nursing home. During your visits be sure to give your loved one plenty of opportunity to air any complaints regarding the care that he or she is receiving.
Build relationships with the staff. When you get to know the staff, they will be more willing to provide stellar attention to your loved one. You can also make requests from staff and they’ll be more likely to follow through with these requests.
Show up for care planning meetings. Care planning meetings are an opportunity for you to voice your concerns and advocate for your loved one’s needs at the nursing home. Getting clear about the type of care that’s needed and expected during these meetings will go a long way toward ensuring your loved one receives the best possible service.
Make the transition to long-term care easy
The transition to long-term care does not have to be difficult, and it does not have to bankrupt you. Estate planning strategies are available to assist families in supporting their loved one along every step of the process of moving into a nursing home.