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Choosing a Safe Nursing Home and Noticing Signs of Neglect and Abuse
Ohio is facing a budget shortfall due to the current economic crisis. Nursing homes have been significantly impacted by budget cuts, which will affect the level of care patients receive.
August 16, 2009 /Seniors PR News/ -- Choosing a Safe Nursing Home and Noticing Signs of Neglect and Abuse
Article provided by Law Offices of Gary Osborne & Associates
Visit us at www.garyosbornelaw.com
Many families feel conflicted when deciding to place their loved ones in a nursing home. For some, there is a sense of abandonment. For others, there is the realization that a nursing home will be the only way to get their loved ones the care they need.
Ohio, like many other states, is facing a budget shortfall due to the current economic crisis. Nursing homes and long term care facilities have been significantly impacted by state budget cuts. The recently passed July budget increased taxes and fees on nursing homes, making it more expensive for the facilities to stay open and ultimately more expensive for the consumer to use. Some of the states nearly 1,000 skilled nursing homes are expected to merge or close and many will be forced to make layoffs, which will affect the level of care patients receive.
How to Find a Quality Nursing Home
As recent as 2005, the Government Accountability Office reported that 16% of the nations nursing homes were cited for serious deficiencies in the level of care that they provide. With budget cuts affecting staffing levels and quality, it is more important than ever that families diligently research the nursing homes they are considering for their loved ones.
There are many resources available for people to use when deciding which nursing home to choose. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) provides an extensive checklist on its Web site covering the critical aspects of care and what to look for in the facilities and staff. HHS also uses a five star rating system to rate the care levels at nursing homes. Though many factors should be considered when choosing a home, the rating system was developed to provide consumers and their families with an easier way to compare levels of care at different facilities. Past health inspection reports, staffing information and other quality measures are all factored into the five star system.
State and federal agencies also conduct inspections of homes, making these reports are available for the public to review. The nursing homes that participate in Medicare and Medicaid are inspected at least once a year, more if the center is under performing.
Hospital staff and personal physicians are also helpful resources. Many hospitals work with social workers to provide consumers with a list of homes in the area. This is often a great starting point for many families. However, referrals from friends and family with personal experience at different homes may be one of the best sources of information.
Some of the basic factors to consider when deciding on a nursing home or long-term care facility include:
- Cleanliness of the facility and patient rooms
- Appearance of the residents
- Staff interaction with residents (calling residents by their first name)
- Proximity to family
- Background checks performed on all staff
- Staff to patient ratio
- Strange or unfamiliar odors
- Staff members working with the same residents on a regular basis
- Correction of any deficiencies noted on the last inspection report
It is important to visit any home you are considering multiple times. Many of the factors can only be adequately noted when observing them in person. It is essential to research more than one home and ask the staff and management questions about how they care for the residents and run the facility. Failure to adequately research your choice of nursing home can have serious consequences for your loved one.
Signs and Types of Abuse and Inadequate Care
From physical to sexual abuse, to neglect or financial exploitation, nursing home residents are often subjected to various degrees and types of abuse. There are many different signs that your loved one may not be receiving the level of care he or she deserves. Unfortunately, the residents themselves are often reluctant to notify family or friends that abuse is occurring out of fear of retaliation. When visiting your loved one, it is important to look for these signs of abuse and neglect yourself.
One of the early signs of abuse or neglect is a change in your loved ones behavior. Interaction with the staff can also be an indicator of abuse, especially if there is tension between the staff and residents or the staff make rude or derogatory comments to your loved one. Physical abuse can include unexplained injuries, welts, scars or restraint marks on the arms or wrists.
Neglect is one of the more common instances of abuse. This can include unexplained weight loss, malnutrition, bed sores or a dirty or unclean appearance. If mental abuse is occurring, your loved one may be depressed, withdrawn or have unusual shifts in behavior patterns.
If you suspect that your loved one has been injured as a result of a nursing home's negligence or experiencing neglect or abuse at any long-term care facility, it is important to take action and contact an attorney immediately.
Article provided by Law Offices of Gary Osborne & Associates
Visit us at www.garyosbornelaw.com
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