Hazards in Assisted Living Facilities
You and your family likely spent a lot of time touring potential assisted living facilities before choosing the best one. One of the most common reasons for moving a loved one to an assisted living facility is out of concern for their personal safety. Because safety is a priority when choosing an assisted living facility, it can be helpful to review a few of the top safety hazards:
1. Lack of Safety and Security Systems
Safety and security systems keep residents safe. This is often an important requirement as most families decide to move a loved one to an assisted living facility because they fear for their safety or security when at home. When touring potential facilities, find out what safety and security systems are in place.
2. Minimal Lighting
Slip and falls are some of the most common injuries of elderly residents in assisted living facilities. Always check if the facility has sufficient lighting in public areas.
3. Walkways With Fall Hazards
Walkways should be clear and free of any fall hazards. Many residents rely on mobility devices to get around and too much furniture can get in the way.
4. Inadequate Bathroom Safety
One of the most common locations for a slip and fall accident is in the bathroom. Seniors get up in the middle of the night, and without proper safety equipment, may fall.
5. Loose Carpets or Floorboards
Check on the quality of the carpets and floorboards. Even the smallest cracks or lifted carpet pieces can cause a resident to fall when using a cane or walker.
6. Lack of Security Personnel
In addition to having security protocols in place, it’s also a good idea to choose an assisted facility with security personnel. This helps identify unwanted visitors and prioritize safety.
7. Infectious Diseases
With so many residents living together, assisted living and nursing home residents are at risk of infectious diseases. Diseases like the common cold can quickly move from resident to resident.
8. Resident Abuse
People who live in an assisted living facility are at risk of abuse. Abuse can come from caregivers, nursing home staff, or even other residents.
9. Resident Neglect
Another, perhaps more common, type of resident abuse is neglect. Nursing home neglect occurs when caregivers fail to provide residents with adequate care.
10. Medication Errors
Medication errors are all too common in assisted living facilities. Caregivers may be overwhelmed and have too big of a caseload, leading to medication errors.
How to Choose the Best Assisted Living Facility
Learning the top risks and hazards in assisted living facilities is one step in choosing the best facility for your loved one. Once you have an idea of the most common risks, you can learn what to look for when considering different assisted living facilities. If you have any concerns about your loved one’s care, make sure you take note and report it to the appropriate location.
Continuing visits with your loved ones and being involved in their care can also help to avoid some of these risks. If you have any concerns, don’t put off discussing your case with a nursing home abuse lawyer.
Contact a Newark Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer to Discuss Your Case in New Jersey Today
Seniors in nursing homes and other care facilities deserve to be treated with respect and dignity. Additionally, nursing home staff needs to ensure that patients are safe and secure at all times. If your loved one suffered an injury, or worse, due to nursing home negligence or abuse in New Jersey, you need to speak with a qualified attorney. The experienced nursing home neglect attorneys at Sugarman Law Firm represent clients throughout New Jersey, including Newark, Jersey City, Paterson, and Elizabeth. Call (866) 657-5660 or fill out the online contact form to schedule a consultation today. We have an office conveniently located at 80 East Main Street, Somerville, NJ 08876, as well as an office in Marlton, NJ.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.
