Typically, this is a question that you need to discuss with your senior loved one, as they might not be initially open to the idea of living in a nursing home. However, there could also be instances where they can no longer decide for themselves, such as if they have cognitive impairments like dementia.
These are a few factors that you or your elderly loved one have to consider. Perhaps the most important one is if they are still physically capable of looking after themselves. At some point, a senior will start struggling with tasks like bathing, getting dressed, eating, cleaning, or handling finances. Once this happens, it may be time to consider having some type of assisted living arrangements.
They may also have medical conditions that require special attention that a nursing home might be able to give them. For instance, they can have staff members trained to care for elders with Alzheimer’s disease. They can help prevent cases where the senior goes missing or gets in an accident, which often happens to people who have this condition.
How Do I Choose the Right Nursing Home?
It may be challenging to pick the appropriate nursing home for your loved one’s needs. First and foremost, the nursing home should follow the local regulations for them. Although the U.S. Code has its guidelines for nursing home facilities, your state may have its own set of laws to protect elders. These could include the elder’s nursing home rights, requirements for handling disease outbreaks, and punishments against elder abuse.
However, it may be easy for any nursing home to claim that they comply with federal and state laws. If you want to be sure your loved one goes to a decent place, you can do the following with them while deciding:
Look at the Ratings
You may find many nursing homes listed in online directories with star ratings and reviews. Feedback from visitors or other residents can be more reliable since they have been in the facility first-hand. Their comments help give an idea of what to expect when your loved one lives there.
Consider the Location
You or your loved one may also prefer living in a nursing home close to your home or to other family members. A more convenient location makes it easier for friends or relatives to visit and for you to get help if they are in trouble.
Visit the Place
After narrowing down your choices, you and your senior loved one can visit the nursing homes. It lets you inspect it for any aspects that affect your loved one’s life, such as sanitation practices, security measures, food quality, and the staff’s demeanor towards the residents.
As much as possible, let your loved one decide where they want to go. After all, they are the one moving to a new home. But you can still guide them to the most desirable choice.
For a free legal consultation, call 800-712-9119
What Can I Do if the Nursing Home Mistreats My Loved One?
If you suspect or have witnessed that your senior loved one suffers from abuse or neglect in the nursing home, you should report it to the authorities. You can contact the police, Adult Protective Services, or local health officers. Keep in mind that your state may have specific steps you need to follow when filing a report. They could also penalize you for not reporting immediately.
You can also bring the nursing home or liable caretaker to justice through a nursing home abuse lawsuit in civil court. It allows your family to receive compensation for the injuries and expenses they caused. The judge may even make the defendants pay the fees for your elder loved one’s new nursing home.
Before letting your loved one move to a new home, you might want to consider consulting a lawyer who handles elder abuse cases. They can explain the nursing home laws in your state, help find evidence, and guide you through the filing process if your loved one becomes an abuse victim.
Fight for Your Elder’s Rights
The question of whether your loved one is ready for a nursing home is highly personal. It becomes more difficult to decide for them when they are not able to voice their opinions. Choosing a nursing home that respects elderly rights is vital for your senior family member to have a comfortable and meaningful stay.
But if anything goes wrong and the nursing home endangers your loved one, know that the office of Ben Crump Law, PLLC can help you with legal matters. Our lawyers handle personal injury cases, including nursing home abuse and medical malpractice. We dedicate ourselves to fighting against discrimination and other forms of unfair treatment in the United States.
If you have inquiries regarding our legal services, you can call the office at 800-959-1444. You can speak to a member of our team today for a free case review.
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