How to Prevent Nursing Home Abuse

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By Pamela Wilson-Lipscomb
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Nursing home abuse, is a very real and frightening thing to deal with. It is very difficult when you have to put a parent of loved one in a nursing home. They are away from everyone and everything familiar to them, and it can be a very frightening experience. There are some very practical things you can do to make sure they are safe.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Vigilance
Presence
Relationship

Step 1

Be present: The best way to make sure that your love ones are safe is, to visit often. It is a fact that clients that have regular visits from family and friends are less likely to be abused.
Step 2

Be vigilant: Nursing home abuse can be physical or emotional. Ask them, how they are being treated, or examine them physically. Learn to recognize symptoms of neglect or abuse.
Step 3

Establish relationships with staff: Getting to know staff will lessen the possibility of nursing home abuse. Take time to get to know the people who are caring for your sick or elderly loved one.
Step 4

Reporting abuse: Do not neglect to report and suspected abuse immediately. There are organizations and governmental agencies that will follow up on these claims. Consider hiring an elder abuse layer for advise.

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Comments

DreamLiving said

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on 5/28/2009 Being present is the best thing to deter problems. The squeaky wheel gets oiled and if family and friends keep an eye out for the elderly, those are the patients who get attention. I had a friend who lost a leg at one nursing home. But, the one she is in now knows the church members, family members, and friends all check in our dear loved one several times a week. This last time she had a spot on her foot, she kept her leg!