The nursing homes are meant to provide exceptional care and supervision to the admitted residents. With the rise of nursing home abuse in Florida, taking prompt action to prevent these malicious attempts is paramount. This article will guide you through the top 7 measures that you can undertake to protect your seniors in nursing homes.
Choose a Reputable Nursing Home
One of the significant practices to foster safety is to opt for a highly reputable nursing home. Seek a care facility that has a proven history of providing high-quality care. Also, ensure that they have highly qualified and well-trained staff.
For that, you must read reviews, take feedback from other residents or families, and do thorough research. You can also visit the care centers in person to assess their system and gauge their credibility. In addition, choose a licensed nursing home that complies with Florida Statutes on Nursing Home Abuse.
Moreover, you can also access ratings about nursing homes through the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA). This platform regulates adult care homes and offers inspection reports. It helps you to make informed decisions while selecting the right care facility for your family.
Do Frequent Visits
Another preventive measure is to do frequent check-ins to ensure proper care. Visiting these places regularly helps you to monitor the resident’s well-being in person. You can observe the facility’s conditions and address any concerns promptly.
If you observe any unusual activity, you must contact legal authorities to report your case. For that, Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath – Boca Raton Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer offers you the required legal assistance. This platform advocates for residents’ rights and can resolve issues on their behalf to maintain a supporting living space.
Understand Signs of Neglect or Abuse
During your care center visits, be vigilant for indications of neglect or any type of abuse. For that, you should have an understanding of different types of nursing home abuse and their respective effects on the residents. Some common warning signs are discussed below:
- Unexplained injuries
- Sudden weight loss
- Medication errors
- Emotional distress
- Social isolation
- Unusual change in behaviors
- Sudden Financial Issues and more.
If you suspect that your family is going through such situations, trust your instincts and document everything in detail. Take photographs if necessary and meet the administrator. If they don’t take any obvious action, then you shouldn’t hesitate to report suspicions to the appropriate authorities.
Educate Loved Ones about Their Rights
Elderly people have the complete right to access all the basic life facilities in these older care homes. For that, you should inform them about their legal rights, which are written in Florida’s Nursing Home Bill of Rights. It outlines laws that ensure that all the residents have a right to live in safe environments free from neglect or abuse.
So, you must empower your older people to speak up if they experience any form of mistreatment or neglect.
Maintain Communication with Caregivers
When you are placing your older family members in these nursing homes, it’s your right to get to know who’s going to provide care to them. For that, maintain proper communication with the caregivers and stay updated about their offered care plan.
You can also assess their expertise and devotion towards your loved one’s needs and preferences. Understanding who is working with a loved one can help you to identify who may be abusing them.
Stay Informed about Laws and Regulations
Another efficient step to protect your elders is to know about the local laws and regulations on nursing home abuse. It helps you to acknowledge the rights of residents living in old homes. In Florida, older homes are regulated by state statutes and law enforcement agencies. They may include:
- The Agency for Health Care Administration AHCA
- The Department of Elder Affairs DOEA and more.
You should keep up-to-date about these regulations, reporting procedures, and legal recourse options. In incidents of abuse or neglect, consult with a professional attorney to acquire additional guidance.
Take a Legal Action if Necessary
In cases of grave abuse or neglect, seek legal recourse to protect your loved one’s rights. You can register a lawsuit against the facility to hold them accountable before the law. For that, you must get legal assistance from an expert attorney who specializes in elder law.
He offers you the right legal advice and guides you to explore various options. Depending on the nature of your case, he investigates and advocates for your loved ones’ rights and helps you get justice.
Conclusion
In short, any form of exploitation needs to be reported to the appropriate authorities. For that, you must exercise the above-discussed steps to ensure the overall well-being of your family members. If you are looking to claim against the abuser or just seek legal advice, look no further than Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath – Boca Raton Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer. We pledge to provide our clients with the justice they deserve by investing in each case from scratch. So, why wait? Order now!
