What to Do if You Cannot Visit a Loved One in a Nursing Home

If your loved one is in a nursing home, visiting them regularly is one of the best ways to prevent neglect and abuse. Unfortunately, as the COVID-19 pandemic taught us years ago, there may be times when you cannot visit your loved one. Perhaps the facility is experiencing an infectious outbreak, or maybe you have been diagnosed with an infectious disease that prevents you from visiting.

While the situation is heartbreaking, it is not hopeless. There are still ways to check in on your loved one, even if you cannot visit with them physically. Below, our Tampa nursing home abuse attorney explains in further detail.

Take Advantage of Technology 

If possible, utilizing technology is one of the best ways to keep in touch with a loved one in a nursing home facility. If your family member has an email address, contact them this way every day. If they cannot access email, ask the staff members in the facility to facilitate regular video calls using FaceTime or Skype. Even regular phone calls can help you and your loved one stay connected if other options are not possible.

Send Photographs and Care Packages 

Exchanging photos is a great way to let your loved one know you are thinking about them. Swapping photos is also a fun way to keep in touch. You can send photos of yourself and other family members and ask the facility to send pictures of your loved one. To make things even more fun, you can take photos with a specific theme, such as ugly holiday sweaters and ask the facility to do the same.

You can also send a care package to your loved one. Consider including their favorite games, sweets, books, puzzles, and other favorite items and activities. Before you send anything, check with the facility about any restrictions on mailed items.

Contact the Facility Directly 

It is natural to feel anxious and concerned about your loved one when you cannot contact them in the facility. Contacting the facility directly can help relieve your fears. Ask them about your loved one’s health and general well-being, and raise any other concerns you may have. If it is the facility’s policies that are keeping you from visiting, ask when restrictions may be lifted.

While the situation is stressful, it is critical to remain polite and respectful when speaking with the facility. The chances are that they are doing everything they can to keep your loved one safe. If you suspect the policies are too restrictive, or there is other wrongdoing preventing you from seeing your loved one, contact an attorney.

Our Nursing Home Abuse Attorney in Tampa Can Help Your Family 

In most cases, there are valid reasons for being unable to visit your loved one in a nursing home. Sadly, there are other times when the facility may not want you to visit for reasons that are dishonest and unfair. If you suspect a facility is not treating your loved one fairly, call our Tampa nursing home abuse attorney at Kohn Law at 813-428-8504 for legal help. We can conduct an investigation, determine if neglect or abuse is happening, and help your family make things right.

Source:

leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0400-0499/0400/0400.html