If one of your family members or a beloved friend is residing in a nursing home, you expect the highest level of professional care to be provided for their well-being. Nurses, nursing assistants, physical therapists, and other staff members are required to care for and protect each resident to ensure their health and safety. However, you may begin to suspect abuse or neglect if your loved one has unexplained injuries, appears to be unclean or uncared for, displays sudden or unexpected weight loss, or voices concern about the facility’s caregivers. Here are some things you can do if to explore the situation.
Consult the Department Supervisor
This person could be the unit supervisor or the Director of Nursing, but it should be someone in authority who can review your loved one’s records and talk to staff about the areas of concern. Sometimes, the problem results from miscommunication or a simple error that can be resolved at this level.
Meet with the Nursing Home Director
If the problems persist, schedule an appointment with the facility director. He or she is the responsible person who should be able to find answers to your questions and address your concerns. It may take some time for the director to investigate the resident’s charting and to interview staff who have been involved with the resident’s care, but the issues may be effectively handled by the director who has oversight of the comprehensive plan of care for your loved one.
Discuss the Situation with the Doctor
Either in conjunction with or apart from your consultations with the nursing home staff and directors, you should discuss the resident’s health and well-being with his or her physician. A change in medical status or even a new medication could explain the changes being observed that have raised concerns. The doctor may also be familiar with the nursing home policies and staff, and be able to advise you about how to proceed.
If none of the above efforts result in satisfactory explanations, your next step may be to contact a personal injury attorney, preferably one that specializes in nursing home abuse or neglect. You may be able to learn more about common complaints associated with nursing home mistreatment of residents and find out the next steps for determining whether your loved one is a victim. Don’t wait until irreparable damage has been done. Get help at the first sign of problems.
About the Author: Lizzie Weakley is a freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio. She went to college at The Ohio State University where she studied communications. In her free time, she enjoys the outdoors and long walks in the park with her husky Snowball. You can find her on Twitter at @LizzieWeakley and on Facebook at facebook.com/lizzie.weakley.
