Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions before Placing Your Loved One in a Nursing Home
You trust a nursing home to carefully watch over your elderly loved one and make sure they are properly cared for during their later years of life. Tragically, NJ nursing home abuse and nursing home neglect lawsuits have become extremely common in recent years as nursing homes and assisted-living facilities take advantage of vulnerable patients by putting PROFITS OVER PEOPLE.
Talk to the Nursing Home Staff and Be an Advocate for Your Loved One
Before you place your parent in a nursing home, it is imperative that you thoroughly research the facility and ask as many questions as you feel are necessary. A recent American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) bulletin provided a list of some questions you should consider asking nursing home operators, staff members and yourself:
- What kinds of hours and shifts do the nursing home staff members work? If the nursing home staff, which can include nursing assistants, is overworked, it can lead to neglect and potentially catastrophic errors. An overworked staff is also a sign of short staffing and other staffing issues, suggesting that the facility is not spending enough money on providing proper care for residents.
- What is the food like? The quality of the meals that your loved one eats will go a long way toward determining how healthy they are. Without proper nutrition, your elderly loved one’s health could deteriorate rapidly. Additionally, if your loved one requires a special diet, it is crucial that you communicate this to the nursing home staff.
- How do the residents spend their days? You want your loved one to be happy. If the nursing home isn’t providing residents with enough daily activities, your loved one might end up stuck in their room, not getting enough exercise and not interacting with anyone else.
For additional information about nursing homes in NJ and elsewhere, view the AARP article, “Choosing the Right Nursing Home.”
If your loved one is a victim of nursing home abuse or nursing home neglect in New Jersey, you should talk to a qualified nursing home neglect attorney today. Barry Sugarman is an experienced nursing home negligence lawyer who will make sure your loved one gets the care they deserve. Contact Mr. Sugarman today to schedule a free consultation.
