The decision to put your loved one in a nursing home can be difficult. You want to find a place where they are comfortable and safe. Unfortunately, nursing home neglect can happen anywhere. When choosing a nursing home, you should ask the staff what steps they take to prevent neglect. Some steps a nursing home can take to prevent neglect include:
Increased Assistance With Mobility
Falls are one of the most common accidents in a nursing home. Nursing home residents typically have issues with mobility and need assistance to prevent falls. Training staff on fall avoidance and how to assist with mobility can be helpful. The installation of handrails in rooms and in hallways can also be an important way to prevent falls.
Adequate Staffing
When there are not enough staff members at a nursing home, employees can be overworked and tired. This exhaustion can lead to staff members overlooking their duties or cutting corners. If a home is adequately staffed, then there should be plenty of people available to assist residents and ensure they are getting what they need. More staff also means that there are more eyes available to look out for signs of neglect. In addition, when staff are not overworked, there is less turnover, and people stay in their jobs for longer.
Staff Training
Properly preparing staff to perform their jobs thoroughly and correctly can go a long way toward preventing neglect. Staff should also be trained on how to recognize signs of neglect so that they can rectify or report neglectful situations. This training should happen on a regular basis.
Careful Hiring
All staff should undergo thorough background checks before they are hired by a nursing home. Federal and state laws require that nursing homes conduct background checks, but some nursing homes cut corners in order to get staff on the job quickly. It is also important to hire staff who have experience caring for others and to check their references and previous jobs.
Contact a Personal Injury Attorney
If you or your loved one has been the victim of nursing home neglect, you should have an experienced personal injury attorney evaluate your case. For over 50 years, Bonina & Bonina, P.C., has been helping the victims of nursing home abuse. Contact us online or call us at 1-888-MEDLAW1 to schedule your free consultation. Home and hospital visits are available. Se habla español.