Florida Nursing Home Lawyer Blog
Making the decision to place a loved one in assisted living or into a nursing home is always difficult. In addition to turning over the care and emotional well-being of an elderly loved one, you will also want to ensure that the home is safe and compliant with local, state and federal regulations. Seeking out a nursing home shouldn’t involve trial and error. You should never have to wait until it is too late to know that a facility was negligent or reckless in caring for patients. Some families will have to go through multiple tries to find the right nursing home for their loved one.
In some cases, the home may not be a match because the building or rooms are dark or aesthetically unpleasing. Perhaps the staff is unfriendly or there aren’t enough activities. In other cases, the home could be more hazardous, posing a serious threat to patients, including your loved one. Our Fort Lauderdale nursing home abuse attorneys are experienced in representing individuals and families whose lives have been impacted by nursing home negligence and abuse. Our priority is to help you and your family protect your rights and to take action against negligent nursing homes to prevent future injuries and abuse.
When choosing a nursing home, there are a number of factors to consider, including proximity or costs. There are also bonus features that some nursing homes offer, including art or pet therapy, massage, and holistic medicine. Remember that more expensive care is not necessarily better. In some cases, larger, for-profit care centers that charge a pretty penny are actually providing substandard care. Choosing a nursing home for a loved one can be difficult, but taking the time to choose the right home can also help to prevent neglect, abuse, and injuries.
Moving a loved one to a nursing home is not a sign of weakness but can give your family support and resources to help an ailing loved one. It is important to find the right environment that can offer the resources you need. For many patients who suffer from Alzheimer’s or dementia, it is important that the home you choose offers a range of safety measures to prevent falls, self-injuries, aggression, and wandering. As with any patient, the needs and demands will vary, so you want to ensure that the care being provided is tailored and comprehensive. The nursing home you choose should be able to adapt to the individual needs of your loved one for optimal care and safety.
According to health experts, agitation and frustration can be triggered by pain, hunger, anxiety or the need to go to the bathroom. Patients should have these basic needs met to prevent the agitation of symptoms. The home and individual room should be large enough so that your loved one does not feel confined. The care facility should also provide a positive environment and offer activities to stimulate intellectual abilities. Most importantly, you should consider the record of safety to prevent injuries and accidents that are often caused by negligent care. Continued support and involvement can help to ensure ongoing safety. Getting to know procedures, processes, and staff members can also help you to protect your loved one.
Freeman Injury Law — 1-800-561-7777 for a free appointment to discuss your rights.
More Blog Entries:
A Silent Killer: Untreated Bedsores Can Be Lethal, June 5, 2014, Broward County Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Blog
Alzheimer Patients Especially Vulnerable to Nursing Home Abuse, Neglect, April 15, 2014, Hollywood Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Blog