There may come a day when you need to put an aging loved one into a nursing home because he or she can no longer live independently. This is a difficult decision for many families, especially since they want to prevent nursing home abuse and neglect.
According to the National Center for Assisted Living, there are approximately 28,900 assisted living facilities in the U.S., and not all provide a high level of quality care to residents. As you look into nursing homes for your loved one, watch out for the following signs that your loved one could be at risk of receiving poor care.
High staff turnover rates
When you visit a nursing home, the staff should interact well with each other as well as with the residents. If you notice that there is a lack of interaction in common areas and staff members seem to come and go quickly, the nursing home may not provide a positive environment for residents and caretakers.
Past violations
Not all nursing home violations are extremely severe. However, you should take note of any serious violations a nursing home has committed before considering it as a choice for your loved one.
Heavy restrictions on residents
You likely want your loved one to have as much independence as possible when living in a nursing home. If the nursing home you are considering puts heavy restrictions on its residents, you may want to look elsewhere.
Even if a nursing home has friendly caretakers, no serious violations and values resident independence, trust your instincts when selecting a care facility. If you feel uneasy when visiting a new nursing home, consider a different one for your loved one.
