A nursing home isn’t a utopia where the elderly go to receive premium care. It is a facility sometimes riddled with conditions that make it unsafe or uncomfortable for your loved one.
As their child or relation, you must ensure your elderly parents are safe, comfortable, and happy in their nursing home.
To do that, here are some easy and effective tips to follow-
1. Be attentive
Before enrolling your loved one in a nursing facility, do a background check on the place. Vet it thoroughly. If possible, seek reviews from individuals who have experience with the place. However, your inquiry shouldn’t end there.
After enrolling your loved one in the place, ensure you pay attention to everything, including the staff, facilities, cohabitants, etc. You should also be attentive to strange odors that are hard to ignore, such as urine. A nursing home that reeks of urine or ammonia tells a lot about the place’s hygiene.
2. Keep your eyes out for red flags.
When you pay your loved one a visit to their nursing home, be attentive to these red flags:
- Change in personality
- Change in mood
- Change in sleeping or eating habits
- Physical activity
If you notice any of these red flags, ensure they are thoroughly investigated. You should also watch out for physical signs like bruises, bedsores, or minor injuries. And don’t ignore mental signs too. If your loved ones appear depressed, fearful, or lethargic, ensure you act immediately by talking to the unit supervisor or head nurse.
When in doubt, ask your loved one if there is anything making them uncomfortable. However, you should note that they may be scared to talk for fear of retribution. If any case of abuse is detected, don’t hesitate to move them.
3. Know who to contact
Did you observe something you don’t like? Whatever it is, ensure you contact the appropriate authority to address the situation. You may want to begin with the unit manager of your loved one’s floor. They should be able to process your concerns, investigate, and take necessary actions where necessary.
And if you aren’t satisfied with the result or outcome, go up the chain of command. Do so until you find someone who can address your concerns satisfactorily.
In a situation where your loved one is being abused, it’s best to contact nursing home abuse law firm, especially when your complaints fall on deaf ears. A nursing home abuse lawyer will guide you and your loved one through the legal process, ensuring that the victim is compensated for the harm they’ve suffered.
4. Maintain contact
Want to know if your loved one is receiving the best care? Don’t just call them; visit them. If you cannot visit them daily, ensure you stop by several times each week. And keep your visits unannounced and at different times of the day.
Doing this will ensure that you are fully aware of the treatment your loved one is receiving. On the other hand, the unannounced visits will allow you to note any unscrupulous act perpetuated when you aren’t around. It’ll also brighten your loved one’s day.
When visiting, ensure you bring their favorite stuff. It could be their favorite treat, book, or photo album. You should also try to spend quality time with them.
5. Leverage technology when possible.
Cameras
Let’s face it: it’s not easy to trust other people, especially non-relations, to cater to your loved ones. One of the best ways to
A wireless camera allows you to monitor your loved one at any time. And if you can purchase one with continuous recording, you can reverse to check video footage any time.
Unfortunately, installing a camera in a nursing home isn’t as easy. Some states forbid you to install cameras without following the law. Only states like New Mexico, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Texas, and Washington allow families to install cameras in nursing home rooms. However, you are required to get your loved one approval before doing so.
In other states, the nursing home has to create its camera rules. And if you choose to ignore their anti-camera policies, the evidence you gathered might be useless in court.
Video calling
Video calling is another great way to remotely check up on your loved one. Unlike phone calls, this method of communication allows you to see the demeanor and environment of your loved ones so you can catch subtle clues that something is wrong. In addition, seeing your face should excite your loved ones.
There are many video-calling devices and apps. Ensure you go for one that your loved one is comfortable with and well suited for the task.
Conclusion
Your loved one deserves the best. And ensuring that they get the best nursing home, especially one that prioritizes their safety and comfort, requires several measures to be taken. These include doing necessary investigations, keeping an eye out for red flags, contacting them, etc.
