As millennial caregivers, many of us face the emotional and logistical challenges of ensuring our loved ones receive the best possible care. For some, this means navigating the difficult decision to place an older family member in a nursing home. Questions naturally arise: Will they be treated with respect? Will their needs be met? Unfortunately, not all facilities provide the safe, compassionate environment we expect, leaving us to wonder how to advocate for our loved ones when nursing home care falls short. This guide is here to empower millennial caregivers with the knowledge and tools to recognize substandard care, take action, and ensure the well-being of the older family members we care so deeply about.
Moving your loved one into a nursing home is a stressful and, sometimes, sad experience, even if they’re happy to go. Will they be cared for right? Will their room stay clean? What will they be served for meals? How will the staff treat them?
These are only some of the questions that inevitably pop into the minds of those that are getting ready to transfer a family member into a nursing home. But why are people so worried and isn’t a nursing home legally obligated to provide adequate care? In a perfect world, all nursing homes would be safe and comfortable. However, our world is far from perfect and some nursing facilities are just awful.
The good news? Neither you nor your family member have to just accept and live with it; you have legal rights and there are ways of addressing these issues.
How to Recognize Substandard Nursing Home Care
It goes without saying, but before placing your loved one in a nursing home, you need to do extensive research on the facility you’re interested in. The best starting point would be client reviews online, they’re an extremely useful source of information and can give you the general idea of the place.
Rating is another big deal. For instance, Skies Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center’s current rating is 1 out of 5. Should you even bother checking reviews and doing research on it? Absolutely not, there’s no way you should even consider a place like that (unless, of course, the facility has gone through some MAJOR renovations in terms of staffing, quality of service, facility amenities, etc.).
But if your family member is ALREADY in a facility, here are some signs to look out for.
1. Physical Red Flags
These are usually the most visible and the most concerning. If the residents and/or the facility don’t seem clean, it’s a huge red flag. Unwashed bedding, dirty bathrooms, and an unpleasant smell are obvious signs of neglect. Physical injuries like bedsores, bruises, or malnutrition are even more concerning than lack of hygiene.
2. Changes in Behavior
If the care is below standard, it takes a toll on the residents’ mental and emotional well-being. You may notice mood swings, depression, or withdrawal from other people and activities. These changes are often overlooked, but they may be a sign that the person is feeling neglected or mistreated.
3. Institutional Indicators
Substandard care usually comes from deeper systemic issues within the facility itself. If the staff keeps changing, it’s a red flag because you need to ask yourself why so many people refuse to work there? Also, if there isn’t enough staff, they won’t be able to provide care for everyone, let alone provide it on time.
Another big factor is compliance with the state regulations and inspections. If a facility has a history of violations or citations as a result of not meeting basic standards, it means that the residents are neither safe nor happy there.
Steps to Take When Care Falls Short
When care in a nursing home doesn’t meet expectations, you don’t have to sit quietly and put up with it.
Here’s a list of things you can do.
1. Document and Report Issues
Keep a record of everything that worries you and include dates, times, and details of the incidents. Take photos and videos of anything that’s not how it should be, like dirty facilities or injuries.
Then, take it up with the staff and administration; show them your findings and clearly communicate the changes you expect to be made. Always ask for written confirmation of any discussions or promises made and follow up to make sure the improvements have been done.
2. Reach Out to Outside Advocates
If the facility brushes you off, contact a local ombudsman, they can help you resolve the issue and make sure that the facility starts providing proper care. If an issue is more serious, report the situation to your state’s health department or regulatory agencies.
3. Legal Action
If all else fails, there’s always legal action. You’ll want an experienced attorney who has already dealt with cases of neglect in nursing homes because they’ll be able to help you get through the process. You’ll need to gather evidence and file a claim.
5. Understand the Possible Outcomes
The result of legal action could be compensation for medical bills or emotional distress. It can also force the facility to make changes. In some cases, it can even lead to penalties like fines or license revocations.
It’s important to know what could happen in terms of outcomes, so you can decide on the best course of action.
Final Thoughts
The best thing we could advise you to do is to never disregard anything that concerns you, no matter how small it is. You never know what’s lying under the seemingly tiny issue so, if there’s reason to worry, report it immediately.
It’s best to start with the staff and the facility administration because they may be willing to make some changes. If not, you can always get an attorney and make changes happen yourself.
Taking care of older family members is a significant responsibility that often comes with complex decisions, such as selecting the right nursing home. Unfortunately, ensuring the well-being of elderly people in nursing homes can be challenging when facilities fail to meet acceptable standards of care. If you’re navigating this difficult situation, it’s essential to stay informed, advocate for your loved ones, and explore additional resources. For helpful tips and insights, check out this guide on taking care of older family members, and discover ways to support elderly people in nursing homes while making a positive impact.