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Someone who is thinking about placing their loved one in a nursing home may want to know the warning signs of an unstable facility. Each potential facility needs to be carefully evaluated before making the final decision.
To begin, it is critical to look at the official records of any facility. Nursing homes with multiple violations are an immediate red flag for individuals looking for a potential care home for their loved one. A reliable website to search for official inspection reports is Medicare.Gov.
Not all nursing homes are the same.
If the facility you are interested in does not have official reports on the web, it is recommended to assess the quality of the facility by visiting and interacting with staff and current residents. Upon entering the facility, notice the reactions of the staff members. At many of the reliable nursing homes, the staff will greet visitors and be willing to answer any questions. Unfit nursing home staff may ignore visitors and deflect when a question has been asked. Staff members should always answer any questions a potential resident may have, if not that is a red flag. Additionally, if you realize the facility is severely understaffed, it may not be the best fit for your loved one.
Take a look at the current residents in the facility and observe the environment. Determine if the facility is clean, safe, and well kept for the elderly residents. Necessary safety precautions include rails for residents in the bedroom and bathroom or call buttons that are within reach. Visit the cafeteria in the facility and determine if the food is up to standards for your loved one’s health. There may also be physical indicators of violations taking place. Observe carefully and take each detail serious when making the final decision of where your loved one should be living.
If your loved one has been abused or neglected at a Georgia nursing home, and you are unsure about what to do next, then please, feel free to call and speak to one of our experienced nursing home lawyers today. Our consultations are always free.
