Protecting a Loved One From Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect
There are over 300 nursing homes in North Carolina, and choosing the right one can often seem overwhelming. Many families make a decision to put a loved one in the closest home, just by default. At Jackson & McGee, LLP, in Charlotte, we often recommend that our clients take action to prevent abuse or neglect in the lives of their loved ones. We suggest that they do their research before placing a loved one in a home. And, once the placement has been made, we recommend that they check regularly on the loved one's wellbeing.
Do Your Research
Families should conduct thorough research before deciding which nursing home facility is best. Untold incidents of nursing home abuse and neglect can often be prevented by choosing your nursing home facility carefully.
In North Carolina, most nursing homes are subject to licensure and certification requirements. The North Carolina Division of Aging and Adult Services regulates the number and location of nursing homes within North Carolina through the Certificate of Need program, and nursing homes that wish to receive Medicare or Medicaid reimbursement must undergo certification inspections conducted by the Division of Health Service Regulation Certification Section. Checking with these agencies can help you understand your nursing home's record of care.
One valuable resource is Medicare's Nursing Home Compare, which can be found at www.medicare.gov/nhcompare/home.asp.
Check in Regularly
- Call Buttons — A call button is an extremely important tool to ensure the safety and health of your loved one. If he or she has an emergency or needs medical attention, the call button may be his/her only way to alert the staff. Unfortunately, call buttons are often left out of the reach of patients who have limited mobility. Make sure your loved one's call button is within reach, and test it to make sure it works.
- Bed Sores — Bed Sores are very serious medical conditions that can lead to infection and death. Sores develop due to pressure on an area for prolonged periods of time. Eventually, the skin breaks down and an opening occurs. The law requires that a nursing home patient be turned and repositioned at least once every two hours to keep pressure from being on one area for too long. Watch for bed sores and observe the staff to make sure they are repositioning your loved one.
- Malnutrition — Malnutrition is a common problem with nursing home patients. Not only is malnutrition itself a serious medical condition, but it decreases the body's ability to fight off other problems, such as bed sores. Sometimes, nursing home patients who have difficulty feeding themselves do not receive adequate assistance with their meals. Often, meals are even left out of reach of patients, and are later taken away uneaten. Make sure meals are within reach of your loved one, and that assistance is given where needed. If necessary, ask about having meals pureed.
- Dehydration — As with malnutrition, Dehydration is a serious and common problem that also depletes the body's ability to fight off other conditions. In fact, dehydration and malnutrition often go together, and often lead to bed sores and other problems. Keep a look out for dehydration by paying attention to hair, skin, lips, fingernails and toe nails, all areas that may show dryness in a dehydrated patient. Make sure that water is within reach.
If You Suspect Abuse
If you suspect that nursing home negligence or abuse is occurring, it is important to act quickly. If the situation is life threatening, call 911. You can also file a complaint with the county Department of Social Services office. It is also important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible regarding your options. Contact the trial lawyers at Jackson & McGee, LLP, by calling 704-246-3295 or toll free at 866-753-6982. You may also complete our online contact form.
