Many of us are faced with the need, at one point or another, to choose a nursing home for a loved one. Such a decision is fraught with feelings of guilt and trepidation, and making it is a big responsibility.
There are often waiting lists to contend with, so there might be an element of future forecasting involved in order to establish what their needs will be when the time comes to select their new home. You may need to consider some or all of the following:
> What does the potential resident want in their new home?
> Is the facility close to your own home?
> Are there different levels of care, so if there are health matters that worsen, you can get various levels of medical care?
> Is the area of town somewhere that is familiar to them?
> Can they get around by walking or using public transport?
> If they are still driving, is there ample parking?
> Upon your first visit, is the building itself maintained and in good repair?
> What kind of vibe does the place have? Are there planned activities for residents?
> Is there a party hall or venue on-site where a family gathering could happen if they so chose?
> If full care isn’t required, are they allowed to come and go as they please?
> Can they have family from out of town stay with them?
> Look around to see if there is an overuse of medication to keep residents compliant and easy to handle, resulting in them not interacting with anyone.
The list of things to think about goes on and on, but first and foremost, will your auntie, mum, dad, or sibling be cared for, respected, and safe there?
There are frequent articles online about severe issues of abuse and neglect in care facilities, but while these shouldn’t put you off choosing a care home, it’s vital to be vigilant. Assign your relatives (and yourself) the task of keeping an eye out for any warning signs so that you can address potential issues before they become a crisis that could have been prevented.
There are a million reasons a bruise might show up on a hand or arm or leg: you bump into things, you accidentally scrape a knuckle when you lose your balance, or you walk into some nettle bushes and get scrapes all over your chin.
These things can be explained away, but if you see constant unexplained bruising, scratches, or abrasions, these can be early indicators of rough handling or falls that weren’t properly assisted .
Incontinence, a possible UTI, and not being repositioned while unwell can provide the perfect environment for pressure ulcers to form. If these minor infections and issues are not treated promptly, you will find yourself dealing with one of the top preventable issues that face residents in care homes.
Bed sores (aka pressure ulcers) are one of the most severe consequences of neglect. At stage 1 they are already a red flag, but they can still be treated relatively quickly and easily. But if they are left to develop into stage 4, then you’re looking at catastrophic failure in care.
Stage 4 ulcers are deep wounds that often extend all the way towards muscle tissue and even bone.
The pain they cause is tremendous. If any case of stage 4 ulcers is detected in a nursing home, that’s a sign that the residents have been abandoned for a long time (left alone, unchecked, stationary). Bacteria could get into these wounds, causing serious damage that could ultimately be fatal.
In order to prevent such horrible neglect, it’s always important to take legal action against the facility. There may well be compensation in the form of a payout, but the whole point is to force the facility to change, to take things seriously, to be accountable. They are dealing with human lives, after all.
For this, you may need professional advice and to seek help with stage 4 nursing home bed sores . It’ll fall to you to advocate for your loved ones’ rights and well-being. Systematic failures such as these cannot go on, and holding the facilities accountable may be (and often is) your only recourse.
There could be outlying factors that contribute to these symptoms, but be aware.
Again, if the nursing home staff are doing their job, these changes should be reported and addressed.
Mood changes can develop into abusive self-talk or self-harm, and can be a result of emotional abuse or even physical abuse.
Something you or other relatives might notice while visiting is a lack of staff attending to residents – for example, call lights going unanswered, phones ringing incessantly, or staff appearing obviously overwhelmed.
These issues can be statewide at these facilities, and they result in care teams not being able to give the basic care that is required.
If you’re aware of these shortcomings, please report them to management, your local Senate Representative, and, in some cases, the law.
All any of us want is a safe, happy home full of life and loving staff. If the nursing home you have chosen is failing your loved one, be the conduit for change.
The number one thing you can provide your loved ones is your presence. Visit them, spend time with them in their chosen homes, observe what is happening, and don’t presume someone else will report suspicious activity.
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