Abuses at nursing homes are not a new phenomenon. It comes in different forms. Emotional abuses such as threats, forced isolation or verbal insults are more common. Sometimes, it can take the form of forced restraints, either by means of physical violence or administering unprescribed medications. The most violent form of nursing home abuse is any extreme physical assault or even rape.

Nursing home patients can be subjected to negligence. It may include withholding water and food, medications and also failure to provide basic hygienic needs of the patients.

Nursing home neglect and abuse are very common across the United States. Here are some ways to prevent them from happening.

Consider Nursing Home Facilities

One of the most effective ways to prevent nursing home neglect and abuse is to check and compare the facilities available at different nursing homes. This way, you can choose the best nursing home which meets all the requisite parameters such as, safety, supportive care, specialization in treating more serious disorders and medical conditions. You should take time to explore the available facilities in order to make sure that your loved one will receive the kind of attention and care he/she needs and deserves.

You should visit each facility in person and talk to the nursing home staff and residents. It will give you a valuable insight into the quality of treatment and care provided there.

Questions to Ask

When visiting a nursing home, there are several questions to ask the authority, staff and residents. Such interactions will give you a better idea about how they operate and if it will be a safe place for your near and dear one. You may be able to collect some nursing home red flags during your visit.

Here is a set of some pertinent questions that you should ask the nursing home administration and caregivers:

Ø  Do you have the proper registration and license?

Ø  Are specialized services available here?

Ø  Do all the staff working here have proper training and license?

Ø  Are the caregivers appointed through proper background checking?

Ø  What is the ratio of caregivers and patients?

Ø  What kind of safety measures are in place?

Ø  Do you follow adequate precautions while using chemicals?

Ø  Does the nursing home meet special dietary needs?

Ø  Do you have policies and procedures to prevent and report neglect and abuse?

Ø  What actions do you take if neglect or abuse is reported? 

Nursing home abuse or neglect is a severe crime and if done, the culprit must be brought to book. If abuse or neglect in any form has happened to your loved one, you should approach a personal injury attorney in Boynton Beach to claim compensation for the patient’s suffering and make sure that punishment is handed out to the responsible party. These things need to be clarified in such a way so that at the end you don’t face any sort of trouble depending on false commitments.