Choosing a nursing home is an important — and often challenging — task for elderly individuals and their families. Here, Jodat Law Group provides some important tips for selecting a nursing home in Florida and monitoring your Sarasota elder care.
Tips for Choosing a Nursing Home
Look for Low Staff Turnover Rates. Staff turnover rates in nursing homes tend to be exceptionally high (nearly 40 percent according to U.S. News). When choosing a nursing home, you typically want to look for a lower turnover rate. Lots of staffing changes can mean inconsistent care, which can lead to problems such as medication errors and bedsores. General worker dissatisfaction can lead to a reduced quality of care as well.
Look for Obvious Signs of Potential Health and Safety Issues. While you cannot expect to turn over every stone and peek behind every closed door when evaluating a nursing home, there are some obvious signs of potential health and safety issues that you can look for during a tour. For example:
If you don’t see any nurses or other employees roaming the halls and common areas, this may be an indication that the nursing home is understaffed.
Watch for frayed carpets, peeling paint, messes that haven’t been cleaned, medical equipment left in hallways, and other signs of nursing home neglect. These can also be potential safety hazards.
Talk to Current Residents and their Families. One of the best ways to find out if you or your loved one is likely to receive proper care in a nursing home is to talk to current residents and their families. If you hear any horror stories or consistently hear that current residents are unsatisfied with their care, this can be a strong indication that you should consider choosing a different nursing home.
Use a Checklist. There are several good checklists available on the Internet for evaluating potential nursing homes. For more tips, visit:
Medicare.gov’s Nursing Home Checklist
Choosing the Right Nursing Home from AARP
Nursing Homes: Making the Right Choice from the National Institute on Aging
Tips for Monitoring Nursing Home Care
Visit Often. Once you choose a nursing home for your loved one, it is important to visit often to monitor the status and quality of their care. Talk to your loved one about the care they are receiving, and ask nurses and other staff members about how your loved one is doing. Inconsistencies and unknowledgeable or incorrect answers may be signs of negligent or abusive care.
Don’t Assume that Poor Care is “Normal”. Finally, never assume that mistakes or neglect are “normal” or “acceptable” in nursing homes. Nursing home residents are entitled to life safe, healthy, and comfortable lives. If you or your loved one has suffered an injury or illness — or if you are otherwise questioning the quality of care in a nursing home — it may be time to make a change, and you may be entitled to financial compensation.
Contact Jodat Law Group today to speak with one of our expert Sarasota Elder Care Lawyers
Jodat Law Group is a team of experienced Sarasota elder care attorneys who are passionate about helping victims of nursing home negligence and abuse fight for just compensation. If you have questions about your or a loved one’s care in a Florida nursing home, contact us today for a free consultation.
From our website: https://jodatlawgroup.com/tips-for-sarasota-elder-care/