Sending a loved one to an assisted living facility is a significant decision. But it ensures good care, medical attention, and safety for an aging relative who requires additional support during the twilight years. While you can be stress-free about providing the best care to your loved one, everything boils down to the choice of the nursing home. Moreover, the increasing number of negligence or abuse in these facilities is a matter of concern. Experts suggest checking factors other than the credentials, ratings, and reviews of a nursing home before handing over your relative’s responsibility to them. Here are some lawyer-recommended red flags you must look for in the center.
A lack of cleanliness
If the facility appears unclean or unhygienic, it is not worth considering. It indicates that they do not prioritize hygiene or they are understaffed. Both ways, the caregivers in the center may compromise the health of your loved one. When visiting the nursing home, check the bedrooms, restrooms, and common areas. The exterior should also be clean and well-maintained because seniors need to spend time outdoors to be happy and healthy. Have a good look in nooks and corners so that you do not miss out on dust, dirt, and cobwebs.
Low quality of food services
You may not really know about the quality of food services in the nursing home until your relative moves in. But you can ask expressly to ensure that the facility covers all dietary needs of the residents. If your loved one is a diabetic, you cannot expect them to eat a regular diet. Moreover, the elderly need good nutritional care to stay fit and disease-free. You can assess the quality of food by talking to other residents and their families. Underweight residents in a facility are a sign of negligence. You shouldn’t have second thoughts about moving your relative to another center if they are not happy about the food.
Residents seem unhappy
A tour of the facility can give you a fair idea about the physical and mental well-being of the residents. If the residents appear clean, well-groomed, and happy, you can be sure about the safety and well-being of your loved one. Conversely, you must give attention to the state of people if they seem unhappy, depressed, or uncomfortable. These could be red flags that they are being abused or neglected.
Absence of abuse prevention policy
Experts recommend checking whether the nursing home has an abuse prevention policy or program. It deters the caregivers from indulging in acts of abuse or negligence of the residents. Ensure to check it on their website or ask for the document so that you can see the details. You can seek advice from a nursing home abuse attorney in this context. Share your concerns with the administrators if the policy does not seem to be comprehensive.
Administrators appear inattentive
Attentive and proactive administrators play a significant role in managing the day-to-day proceedings of the center. They also ensure that the caregivers perform their duties well. If they are inattentive and callous, you cannot expect good care of your loved one. It leaves residents at the mercy of caregivers who may neglect them altogether or abuse them physically, emotionally, and financially. Look for a place where day-to-day administrators are connected with the residents and their families and try their best to ensure an optimal living situation.
A rigid visiting policy
Look for a flexible visiting policy in the nursing home so that you can keep a regular check on your loved one. If the facility lacks it, it is a red flag indicating understaffing. People often overlook this factor and end up being cut off from their loved ones in the long run. You must have the freedom to meet them when you please. Although you cannot expect the facility to be open around the clock, you should not have to wait to meet your relative during regular business hours.
You need not do much to check these red flags in the facility, as a couple of visits is enough to get a fair idea. The website of the facility offers additional information to assess the quality of care your loved one will get there. You can go the extra mile by asking questions and seeking clarity on the finer points. Pick your questions wisely so that you can be sure about the well-being and safety of your aging relative. Lawyers reiterative the importance of research about the facility because you cannot take a chance when it comes to safety.