Before you let your family talk you into going into a nursing home, there are a few considerations you should be making. Even if you are a senior who is already living in nursing care – listen up! We have news for you. You have rights while you are in there and they need to be observed.
Let’s look at some of the nursing home negligence scenarios that are commonly found in the industry. If you spot it in your nursing home – or in any potential new nursing home – then avoid that place like the plague.
5 Things Seniors Should Know About Nursing Homes and Negligence
Here are our top considerations you should make – and things you should know – before you go into a nursing home.
1 – Nurses are short on the ground
Nurses are rarer than we all thing. It isn’t a glamorous profession and it doesn’t pay well. Some of the most beautiful souls you will ever meet in your life will be nurses. They are also destined to be some of the worst underpaid.
What does this mean to residents? It means bedsores are common. Ulcers are formed when you spend too long in one place and, when you are a little lacking in mobility, are one of the ways you could find yourself in hospital seeking more serious care. Its critically important the nurses assist with patient mobility, but this is not always the case, according to Rosenfeld injury lawyers.
2 – Bedsores Cost you – or your insurers
The average cost of $11 billion per year is spent in the USA on the treatment of bedsores. It is estimated that somewhere in the region of 2.5 million pressure ulcers are treated yearly. What’s worse is the pain and human cost. If you don’t heal that ulcer it may well kill you. Staff need to move you if you can’t move yourself.
3 – An Average Home has 87 Residents
At any given time, a Care.com survey discovered nursing homes average around 87 residents. All of those residents have varying level of care. Knowing this: ask your nursing home or potential place of future residence how many staff are on duty at any one time. 8 or more is optimal but few will provide this.
4 – There are Other Options
Have you thought about having a combination of at-home care and relative care in your own home? A nursing home doesn’t have to be the only choice. Perhaps you can live in an outhouse that a relative owns? Near to the family but in your own space is better than with strangers.
5 – Help is Available
If you feel that something is wrong with your care home, then reach out. Tell your relatives and loved ones. Have a frank, honest conversation and mention that you are aching, hungry, thirsty, or feel neglected. You do not need to suffer and, considering the contributions you have made to society, you definitely don’t need to feel abandoned.
Speak out or get those who love you to speak out on your behalf. If the nursing home are treating you badly, think how they are treating the residents who have nobody to defend them.
