Nursing homes are typically very busy places and are likely to get busier and more numerous as the baby boom generation ages and needs elder care. Although most medical professionals are caring and reliable, some are less so, whether for personal reasons, their own medical reasons, or because they handle the stress of overwork poorly.
Your loved one in a nursing home is highly dependent on good daily care. This includes more than just a good diet and a clean bed. Many nursing home patients need help with every basic human function, and this can put a heavy load some days on the rushed staff. Understaffing is common in nursing homes. If you have a loved one in such a place, and are wondering whether they are receiving adequate care, there are some things you can do.
Visit more often. Visit irregularly. Take notes when you visit. Talk to your loved one and learn as much as you can from them about their daily care. Talk to other patients about how they like being there, and how the staff treats them. Examine your family member’s clothing, bedding, and skin. Check to see if they have a carafe of water next to their bed. Try to get a moment with one of the nurses, to chat and learn what their day is like.
If you notice signs of neglect or abuse, speak with the nursing home administrator. If you live in the Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, or Ft. Lauderdale areas, contact Ellis, Ged & Bodden, P.A., to set up a free initial consultation. They have a lot of experience in nursing home negligence.
