Tips on Preventing Nursing Home Neglect & Abuse in Tennessee

Unfortunately, substandard nursing home care often results in tragedy to innocent victims, which can be devastating to you and your loved ones.  We have witnessed all too many instances where a resident of a nursing home suffers needlessly due to abuse and neglect.  Yet, the seriousness of these residents’ injuries can vary and may also be difficult to detect.  Specifically, some nursing home residents endure relatively minor instances of neglect while others may experience far more serious and egregious injuries.  In fact, sometimes nursing home abuse and neglect can even result in death. Regardless of the circumstances, it is important to realize that no one expects that their loved one will experience any level of abuse or neglect while staying at a nursing home.  With this in mind, we have complied the following information designed to help you prevent your loved ones from being the unfortunate victims of nursing home abuse and neglect:

1. Careful Selection:

Not all nursing homes are created equally.  Some are exceptional; unfortunately, some are not.  Accordingly, it is critical, for the safety of your loved one(s), that you take the necessary steps to inspect the facilities you are considering.

Begin by asking for referrals from friends, people at your church, or physicians in your area.  Also put together a list of possible nursing homes, and then schedule a visit at each one.  When you go to the nursing home, bring with you the following questions:

1. How well are the other residents maintained?  Are they clean?  Are they properly dressed?
2. Do the residents appear actively engaged?
3. What background and training does the administrator have?
4. What background and training does the director have?
5. Is the owner local, or is the facility part of a larger “chain?”
6. How does the food look?  How does it taste?
7. Does it appear there are enough staff to properly care for the residents?
8. What does the nursing home do to prevent falls?
9. What does the nursing home do to prevent bed sores?
10. How/Where do the nursing aides receive their training?
11. What does the nursing home do to document turning and reposition of residents who are bedridden?
12. What does the nursing home do to make sure the residents are receiving well-balanced meals?
13. What background checks do the staff have to go through before they are hired?
14. How has the nursing home done in its two most recent annual surveys?
15. How many residents does the nursing home have?  How many staff members?
16. Who is the medical director?  What is his or her background/training?
17. Is there someone you can talk to who has a family member in that nursing home?
18. Is there a waiting list to get in?
19. What is the rate for private pay?
20. How does the staff interact with the residents?  Do they appear to have good relationships?
21. Do the residents interact with one another?

You should check with as many independent sources as possible when investigating a nursing home.  Lastly, there are ways of researching nursing homes in terms of sterility, client treatment and other important factors by visiting www.medicare.gov/NHCompare.  Specifically, this website operated and maintained my Medicare, rates all nursing homes that accept Medicare and Medicaid.

Overall, taking all of the above steps will take time; but should help you to select a facility that will care for your loved one as he or she deserves.

2. Staying Vigilant

Once you decide on a proper nursing home for your loved one, you will want to continue to monitor the care he or she receives.  Here is a list of things you can do to make sure the care your loved one is receiving is up to your standards:

1. Visit often.  Go at different times and on different days of the week to make sure the nursing home knows that you are involved and interested.  Of course, visiting your loved one shows you care, and keeps them happier, healthier and less of a target of abuse than others.
2. Make sure the nursing home has a complete copy of your loved one’s medical history.
3. Make sure the nursing home has all of the contact information they may need in case of an emergency.
4. Select a doctor to be responsible for the care of your loved one.
5. Request that you be notified anytime your loved one’s treating doctor sees and/or treats him or her.
6. Keep a close eye on your loved one’s weight.  Look for any significant changes in terms of either gains or losses.  Typically, a 10% change is considered significant.  Also be sure to watch out for signs of bed sores, lack of attention to sanitation, lack of attention to your loved one’s hygiene, and other important factors.

For more information on the above, or if you have a loved one that has been abused or neglected in a nursing home, we can help.  Our experienced team of Tennessee nursing home abuse lawyers at Bailey and Greer, PLLC is available to answer all of your questions as well as advise you of the scope of your legal options.   Please contact us today to receive your free initial case evaluation by calling us locally at 901-680-9777.