What Are Effective Ways To Safeguard Against Nursing Home Abuse?

When you take your loved one to a nursing home near the Rockford Art Museum or Coronado Performing Arts, you want the best for them. If you have a loved one in a nursing home, they must receive loving care, attention, and support. But sometimes, nursing home staff does not do their job.

Fortunately, there are proactive ways to reduce the chances of nursing home abuse:

Reduce Your Loved One’s Social Isolation

When our attorneys review common nursing home abuse cases, social isolation is the common denominator. Nursing home residents are more likely to be abused or neglected when no resident or family members are in the room. Being socially isolated opens the resident to nursing home workers who may be neglectful or abusive when they are alone with your loved one. If your loved one has medical issues that tend to isolate her, such as dementia, you should look for a care center where your family member will interact more with others.

Watch Your Loved One’s Prescription Medications

Keeping an eye on the prescription medications your loved one receives daily is critical. A common issue is a nursing home patient being overmedicated. For example, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services reported last year that 14% of nursing home patients received antipsychotic medications, but 82% of those were for off-label use. This means the person could receive this powerful drug for an unapproved medical condition. It is critical to ensure your loved one receives medications intended for their medical needs.

Visit Your Loved One Often

Visiting your loved one often offers many benefits. First, visiting them every few days or weekly can boost the person’s mood and improve their health. Being socially active in their environment is critical to ensure their health and happiness.

Also, you should check in on your loved one randomly when the nursing staff does not expect you. This will give you an idea that your loved one is being treated appropriately. Further, check in at different times to see how nursing home staff on various shifts works with your loved one.

Visit https://www.yourrockfordlawyers.com/things-you-can-do-to-protect-against-nursing-home-abuse/ for more information.