We’d like to think that our loved ones are safe, happy, and well taken care of at their nursing home. Unfortunately, sometimes nursing home residents can experience neglect and negligence at the hands of the home’s staff. This negligence includes things like forgetting to administer medications, not following up with needed medical care, or ignoring your loved one’s hygiene needs. The best course of action you can take is to be an advocate for your loved one. Stay informed about their care, visit often, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to contact an attorney for help. Reynolds, Horne & Survant is a nursing home negligence attorney with years of experience helping loved ones file lawsuits against nursing homes. If someone you care about resides in a nursing home, take a minute to learn about how you can protect them and be their biggest advocate.
Stay Informed
First, stay informed about your loved one’s care and needs. For example, write down their doctors’ appointments on your own calendar. Check in with the nursing home after each appointment to make sure they are making it to the appointment and that the nursing home is taking into account any care updates. Also, keep track of any medications that they are taking. It’s critical that the nursing home staff is properly administering medication. Mistakes with medication can be deadly. It can also be a good idea to sit in on doctors’ appointments. If you live far away, see if the doctor can video conference you during the appointment so you can hear any health updates or diagnoses.
Visit Often
One of the best ways to protect your loved one from nursing home negligence is by visiting frequently. Visiting allows you to check up on the physical and emotional state of your family member. It can be hard to assess negligence over the phone. Due to health conditions or age, some nursing home residents are unable to recognize or do anything about the negligence they are experiencing. By visiting in-person, you can recognize potential negligence and take action. If you live far away, visiting frequently becomes challenging. If possible, try to contact a friend who lives near the nursing home and can visit on your behalf.
Look for Signs of Neglect
During your nursing home visits, look for signs of negligence. First, examine the room. Is it clean? Do they have access to things they need? Next, evaluate how the staff works with your loved one. Are they properly administering medications? If your family member is immobile, are they helping them to move around? Are they keeping them clean? Check out the overall demeanor and attitude of the staff to see if they are caring and nurturing or aloof and indifferent. Here are some things to look out for that could indicate negligence:
- Physical injuries
- Poor hygiene
- Stolen items
- Signs of malnutrition
- Too much or too little medication given
- Failure to change sheets and medical bandages in a timely manner
- Care complaints from your loved one
Ask Questions
Whether you are at the facility in-person or checking in over the phone, ask a lot of questions. The best way to gain information about the status of care is to ask specific questions. Ask about medical issues, health updates, and day-to-day care. If you feel that you are not getting honest, straightforward answers, it’s time to consider that negligence might be occurring at the nursing home.
Contact a Nursing Home Negligence Attorney
Elderly citizens in nursing homes are extremely vulnerable. Unfortunately, each year, a handful of nursing home residents suffer wrongful deaths or injuries due to nursing home negligence. If you notice neglect, it’s important to contact an attorney right away in order to prevent further injury. During your initial consultation with an attorney, share with them as many details about the situation as possible. Also, provide any physical evidence you may have, such as photographs or medical documents. This physical evidence can be vital as your attorney builds a case against the nursing home.
Keep in mind that Georgia law provides protection for elderly people against neglect, fraud, and abuse at the hands of their nursing home caregivers. Georgia law also indicates that families can receive payouts for punitive damages, economic damages, pain and suffering, and attorney fees if it is proven in court that negligence occurred. Your attorney will comb through the details of the case in order to help you and your family receive the compensation you deserve.
If your loved one lives at a nursing home and you suspect negligence, it’s critical to contact an attorney as soon as possible. Negligence can lead to physical injury – and in some cases, death – so it’s essential that a nursing home is held accountable for their actions. Reynolds, Horne & Survant is a nursing home negligence attorney in the Macon, Georgia area. We have helped many clients get the compensation they deserve after their loved ones experience nursing home negligence. For more information and to schedule an initial free consultation, contact Reynolds, Horne & Survant today.
