| About one third of the nursing homes in the United | | | | patients should have water within reach. |
| States have been cited for abuse. Because neglect | | | | Patients who can't drink without help should be |
| and abuse often go unreported, the real number of | | | | offered water frequently. This is not a luxury for |
| facilities with abusive staff is unknown. In 2003 USA | | | | patients, not is it servitude or extra work for the |
| today reported statistics estimating that one half of | | | | staff. It is one of the primary reasons that nursing |
| all nursing home patients are suffering from untreated | | | | homes exist! |
| pain. | | | | Talk to the residents. Notice their grooming, oral care, |
| For most families, nursing homes eventually become | | | | and nail care. Are they in good spirits or are the |
| a necessity. As love ones grow older, many need | | | | majority of residents depressed or confused? |
| constant supervision and 24 hour care. | | | | Do some checking |
| Nursing homes will offer a guided tour to sell their | | | | Talk to loved ones of residents and ask them what |
| services. Don't rely on the presentation that they | | | | they think about the level of care the nursing home |
| want you to see, when they are prepared and on | | | | provides and if they have ever had problems with |
| their best behavior. Do your own checking, in your | | | | the facility. |
| own way, on your own time, when they are not | | | | Look at the state survey of the nursing home. The |
| expecting you. | | | | nursing home should have it on hand for your review. |
| Visit more than once and at different times of day | | | | Ask the nursing home about staffing levels. Find out |
| Visit the nursing homes you are considering at odd | | | | how many staff members work per shift, how many |
| hours. Try to visit in the evening and on weekends, | | | | residents live at the facility and how many are |
| when they are most likely to be short staffed. Drop | | | | bedridden or in wheelchairs. |
| in near the end of shifts, when the staff is most | | | | Monitoring and ensuring proper care |
| likely to be tired and irritable. | | | | Even after carefully screening and selecting a nursing |
| It may sound mercenary, but you want to see them | | | | home, problems can still arise. Sadly, in most cases, |
| at their worst. Your loved one will have to live with | | | | the level of care your loved one receives will directly |
| them through these hours everyday. | | | | correspond to your level of involvement. Keep up the |
| Check out meal times | | | | flow of communication with everyone involved with |
| Try to eat a meal with the residents. Don't warn the | | | | your loved one's care, including doctors, nurses, |
| nursing home, just drop in. offer to pay for your | | | | administrators, and other staff. |
| meal if that is an issue. You are looking for food | | | | From the very start, let the nursing home know that |
| quality and to see if the residents get the attention | | | | you will be observing, that you will be involved, and |
| and the assistance they need while eating. | | | | that you know and understand the laws and what is |
| Malnutrition is a common problem in nursing homes | | | | required of them. You can do this without seeming |
| and can quickly send the elderly into a downward | | | | hostile or combative. |
| spiral of failing health. | | | | Federal law requires that every patient has an |
| While you're visiting | | | | individual plan of care. The nursing home should |
| Pay attention to odors. Urine or feces odors indicate | | | | consult you when drafting this plan. If they have not, |
| residents that have not been changed or bathed. | | | | ask to see it. |
| Neglecting basic hygiene can lead to life threatening | | | | Visit frequently, but not on a regular schedule. Visit |
| infections. It is also a warning sign of other type of | | | | on different days of the week and at different times |
| neglect. | | | | of day, when they are not expecting you. Your |
| Does everyone have water? Dehydration can kill a | | | | loved one should be fully bathed at least three times |
| nursing home resident very quickly. All residents | | | | a week. |
| should have water available at all times. Bedridden | | | | |