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Selecting a Safe Nursing Home

While most elderly people would prefer to live at home, sometimes moving a loved one to a nursing facility is necessary due to their complex physical or mental needs. Choosing the right nursing home for your family member is essential for their safety and wellbeing.

Approximately 1.3 million seniors reside at 15,300 nursing homes across the U.S[1]. There are homes designed for patients who need memory care, physical care, or both. The home for your loved one should match the type of care that they need.

One of the most important factors in choosing a nursing home is their staffing level. Nursing homes employ a variety of professionals including doctors, registered nurses, nursing assistants, social workers, and physical therapists. A properly staffed facility means that your loved one can receive more personalized attention and that their caregivers are less likely to be overworked. Does the facility have a high turnover rate? This can indicate unhappy or overworked employees, which may lead to lower quality care for your loved one. The staff should also undergo background checks to minimize the likelihood of known abusers working at the facility.

In addition to the staffing, the quality of the daily care will greatly impact your loved one’s life. When you visit the facility, make a mental note if the residents appear clean and well-groomed (e.g.  brushed hair, clean fingernails, clean clothes, etc.). Watch the staff interact with the residents and see if they appear caring, happy, and respectful. Also, check if there are a variety of daily activities to keep residents mentally stimulated and entertained.

The condition of the facility itself is important. Is it clean? How does it smell? How is the food? Make sure to inspect the resident rooms as well as the common areas. A fancy lobby is nice, but comfortable resident rooms will be more important for your loved one.

When possible, choose a nursing home that is close to family so your loved one can frequently have visitors. Not only will your loved one appreciate the company, but you can more quickly notice if elder abuse is occurring.

The prospect of your loved one being abused at a nursing home is scary. According to the National Council on Aging, some signs of abuse include:

• Physical signs: dehydration, weight loss, unexplained injuries, poor hygiene, unattended medical needs, missing daily life aids – such as glasses or hearing aids
• Emotional signs: increased fear or anxiety, changes in behavior, lack of interest in usual activities
• Financial signs: fraudulent signatures on documents, changes in spending patterns or estate plans[2]

If you have a loved one who suffered from elder abuse in a nursing home, contact ECanter Lawyers. We will fight for them to receive compensation from all the parties responsible for their physical, emotional, and/or financial injuries.

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[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. FastStats – Nursing Home Care (cdc.gov). Accessed May 7, 2024.

[2] National Council on Aging. Get the Facts on Elder Abuse (ncoa.org). Accessed May 7, 2024.