Every nursing home resident is vulnerable to potential abuse and neglect. If your loved one currently resides in a California nursing home, there are steps you can take to uncover potential abuse or neglect before the situation has the chance to worsen. By remaining vigilant and proactive in your support of your loved one, you can avoid the potential for nursing home abuse in a California nursing home. Use the following tips to help you keep your loved one safe, and ensure that he or she receives appropriate care at all times while in the care of nursing home staff.
Make Unscheduled Visits – your most effective means to preventing abuse and neglect in a California nursing home is to have unscheduled visits with your loved one on a regular basis. By visiting your loved one often, you will get to know not only the staff, and your loved one's usual routine, but you will also get to know the condition of the nursing home itself. Cleanliness is a big indicator of the level of care that your loved one receives, and by dropping in unannounced you will see the real conditions that your loved one lives with on a daily basis, rather than a facility that has been prepped in anticipation of your visit.
Pay Attention to Injuries – any unexplained bruising, cuts, scrapes or other injuries may be a sign of nursing home abuse. This is particularly the case if you notice bruising around your loved one's wrists or ankles, as this is often an indication of the use of restraints. Restraint use is illegal unless explicit consent has been given by your loved one or the individual responsible for your loved one's care. Additionally, there must be a definite medical reason for the restraint use.
Inquire about Illnesses – if your loved one is continually sick, there may be issues with his or her medication. Drug interactions, improper dosing, and other issues can occur if staff members are not adequately trained in the dispensation of medication. If the cause is not due to medication, there may be other issues, such as sanitation, that are contributing to the continual illnesses. You should be particularly concerned if the nursing home does not inform the person responsible for your loved one about these illnesses, as health issues in elderly nursing home residents can worsen quickly if not attended properly.
Beware of Bedsores – any nursing home resident who is bedridden or otherwise immobilized must be turned regularly in order to avoid the development of bedsores. If your loved one has these types of injuries, it is a direct reflection of the level of care that he or she is receiving. If neglected, bedsores can quickly develop from a minor injury to one that involves deep tissue loss, and even the loss of bone, muscle and tendons. Insist that the nursing home use specialized bedding and an appropriate turning or adjustment schedule for your loved one if he or she is bedridden.
While there are other indicators of abuse, these are some of the most common occurrences that signal nursing home abuse in a California nursing home. If you visit your loved one regularly, you will be able to uncover many of these signs before they become too serious. However, even if you aren't able to visit with your loved one as often as you'd like, you can still be alert to any signs of abuse. If your loved one is in immediate danger, whether physical or medical in nature, always contact the emergency services by dialing 911 before you do anything else. Prompt intervention can save your loved one from further injury due to neglect or abuse.
The Law Offices of Young & Wallin can help you understand California nursing home abuse law and your loved one's rights as a nursing home resident. Our website,
California Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer, is an excellent resource for families seeking information and counsel on the subject of California's nursing home abuse laws.
