Ensuring the safety of our loved ones is a top priority. When an adult becomes the primary caretaker for a parent, many factors come into play. For most families, the viable option is placing their elderly into nursing homes where they can receive the best round-the-clock assistance. Long-term care facilities provide a sense of stability and safety for both the elderly and the family members.
In rare instances, there is the unfortunate possibility that your parents may be mistreated in their nursing home. From neglect to outright abuse, there is a wide range of hardships that can be endured. If you encounter a situation like this,
3 Steps to help you restore the stability and harmony that your family while using long-term care facilities
1. File a Complaint
Use your voice. The moment you discover that your family member has been neglected, mistreated, or abused in any way, it is imperative that you make it known.
Every long-term facility has a process and proper protocol for these types of situations. There is an Ombudsman, supervisor, manager, or human resource advocate available for you to speak to. Make sure your complaint is written down and on file. There needs to be a record of the abuse in case it occurs again, or the facility tries to deny the issue.
You need the name of the staff member, their superior, and the name of the person you spoke to about the situation. It’s also good to have their contact information.
If there’s any physical evidence of the abuse, take photographs or videos. Make sure that you have the proof you need in case the grievance escalates or you intend to take legal action.
2. Get a Lawyer
If you plan to sue the nursing home or take your abuse case to court, it is vital that you contact a nursing home abuse lawyer. These professionals have the tools needed to ensure that your family receives justice and compensation.
They do everything for you; from contacting the company about the abuse case, to litigating the grievance in an open court, they’re trained to negotiate and provide assistance.
Some facilities will attempt to hide the abuse or convince you to let the incident slide. Having a lawyer in your corner will encourage them to take accountability. Legal action is always best in these types of situations. Not only does it shine a light on an ongoing issue, but it also prevents the issue from occurring again in the future.
3. Change Nursing Homes
Taking action always comes with risks. It’s no different for long-term care facilities. To avoid pushback or further abuse toward your family member, it’s best to change facilities. And while your loved one may have made new friends and doesn’t want to leave, you have to do what’s in the best interest of your loved one.
It’s good to have a new home lined up while you settle the grievance with your current nursing home. Once the dust settles, they could ask you to remove your family member immediately. This provides you with limited time to find a viable care facility. If you have one selected beforehand, you can relocate without feeling rushed or overwhelmed.
, requesting medical records and other long-term care documentation can be done after your family member is moved. The primary concern is making sure they’re being cared for in a safe environment.
New surroundings provide an opportunity to heal, leaving previous issues in the past and moving forward with a positive and hopeful outlook.
When it’s all said and done, you can focus on establishing peace and stability; practicing gratitude, and pouring into the thing that matters most: your family.
If you’re in a situation where long-term care facilities are the only option for your loved one, visit often, love on them, and pay close attention to their behaviors. There are signs you can pick up that will let you know that abuse is happening. If you notice signs of abuse, it is then that you will take the necessary measures.
