On-Site Visits, Interviews Help Identify the Best Care Facility for a Loved One, Reducing Risk of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect

Nursing home abuse and neglect attorneys help clients every week with claims against improperly run long-term care facilities.

But a careful vetting and selection process can help decrease the likelihood of a loved one facing abuse or neglect.

Once you’ve whittled down the list of acceptable facilities (click here for assessment tips), the next step is to visit each nursing home to both observe practices and conduct interviews. Ideally you should visit each facility on several occasions at different times of the day to get the most comprehensive view possible.

During each visit, look for positive staff behavior, like:

Treating residents with respect, friendliness and patience

Knowing residents by name

Being familiar with residents’ likes and dislikes

Knocking before entering a resident’s room

Assisting residents with eating, as needed

Other good signs are if a facility:

Provides appetizing meals in a clean, pleasant setting

Allows residents – even those in shared rooms – some amount of privacy

Arranges appropriate activities and leisure time

Offers residents’ the opportunity to be outside

On the other hand, reasons for concern include:

Poor maintenance

Lack of cleanliness both in common areas and residents’ rooms

Staff socializing together instead of addressing residents’ needs

Unappetizing meals served at the wrong times or wrong temperatures

You should also be wary if you see residents:

Dressed improperly with poor personal hygiene

Slumped in wheelchairs in hallways or in front of nurse’s stations without appropriate activities

Left unassisted and unable to eat at mealtime

Interviewing the director or other supervisor is also a good tool in assessing whether a long-term care facility is appropriate for your loved one. The state of Ohio provides an online checklist that can serve as the basis for those discussions.

In addition to the director, you should also try to speak with a resident or two and their families at each facility. Their insights can provide useful information to help shape your decision.

Of course, even with the most careful vetting process, unexpected acts of abuse or neglect can occur in nearly any long-term care setting. If you believe a loved one is the victim of nursing home neglect or abuse, contact authorities immediately and find an expert who can help you sort through your situation.

Registered nurse attorney Angela T. Vagotis has provided expert representation for many nursing home abuse or neglect victims. If you’re concerned about your loved one’s treatment, contact her today for assistance by calling 330-456-4122 or submitting this form.

Phone: 330-456-4122
Fax: 330-456-4349

Huntington Bank Building
Suite 940
220 Market Ave., South
Canton, Oh 44702

E-mail: inquire@avagotislaw.com