Five Warning Signs to Look for in Nursing Homes
You have made the difficult decision to admit your loved one into a nursing home. Unfortunately, this is not the only hard decision you have to make. The next step is to choose a facility. The majority of nursing homes in Tampa, and throughout Florida, provide quality care and support for their residents. Sadly, others are regularly the subject of complaints of abuse and neglect.
One of the best ways to ensure that your loved one will be safe in a nursing home is to visit them yourself. While visiting a number of facilities, there are some typical warning signs you should watch for. Below, our Tampa nursing home abuse attorney explains what these are.
Insufficient Safety Measures
Above all, you need your loved one to be kept safe while they are staying in a nursing home. Make sure that any facility you are considering is in a safe neighborhood. Also check all entrances and exits to ensure they are properly protected with intercom systems and other security measures, such as security cameras. If anyone can enter the facility, you should choose another nursing home.
Insufficient Staff Members
Understaffing is an extremely common issue in Florida’s nursing homes. Observe the staff and determine if they seem exhausted, overworked, and distant. If so, this could mean they are distracted because of their exhausting schedules. While observing staff members also make sure they are attentive, polite, and respectful, and that they treat residents well.
No Management On-Site
Nursing home administrators and nursing directors should be accessible. If they are not on-site, that could indicate an issue. If you cannot speak to management during your visit, schedule an appointment to talk about your concerns and ask questions before you make a final decision. Consider their answers carefully and if they are committed to follow-up communications.
Unsanitary Conditions
There is no excuse for unsanitary cafeterias, common areas, or resident rooms. When a facility is not properly cleaned, vulnerable seniors are at risk of developing infections and other serious health issues. Additionally, it is a sign of nursing home neglect when staff members fail to maintain basic hygiene procedures.
Excessive Noise
It may not seem significant, but excessive noise can upset elderly individuals and cause unhealthy anxieties. Nursing home residents with disorders such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease can suffer significantly from loud environments. Always make sure a nursing home has separate areas for activities and that they do not disrupt residents who are trying to sleep or rest.
Call Our Nursing Home Abuse Attorney in Tampa Today
While there are certain warning signs you can watch for, not all dishonest or unfair practices in nursing homes are as evident. If you suspect that your loved one has not been treated properly, our Tampa nursing home abuse attorney at Kohn Law is here to help. Call us today at 813-428-8504 or contact us online to schedule a consultation with our experienced attorney and to learn more about how we can help with your case.
Source:
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0400-0499/0400/0400.html
