Moving your parents into a nursing home can be a difficult and emotional decision. Once they are settled in their new home, you may wonder how to stay up-to-date on their condition and ensure they receive the care and treatment they need.

Here, we offer advice and guidance on how to ensure your parent receives good care in a nursing home, and what to do if you think they are not.

Tom Robenalt is an Ohio personal injury attorney who represents the families of nursing home residents who were injured or killed because of nursing home abuse or neglect. He began his career working for an insurance defense law firm where he represented nursing homes and other corporate defendants. Today, he uses that experience to protect the rights of people injured because of nursing home abuse or neglect.

To put his experience to work for you, contact Robenalt Law today to schedule an appointment to discuss your situation and how we can help.

Protect Your Loved One by Learning About the Nursing Home and Its Staff

To start, ensure your parent is in the right place. Never assume that just because a facility is expensive or has a good reputation, it is the right place for your loved one.

• Familiarize yourself with the nursing home administrators and ask them to provide updates on your parent’s condition and how they are handling the transition.
• Get to know the individual caregivers who care for your parent on a day-to-day basis.
• Visit frequently, do not announce your visits, and come at different times during the day.
• Ask the nursing home staff to alert you to anything your parent is struggling with, and assure them they are not bothering you by doing so.

Do Not Blindly Trust the Nursing Home

Operating a nursing home is not always easy, and you should try to be understanding with the administrators and staff. However, remember that no one cares for your parent as much as you do. Learn the signs and symptoms of nursing home abuse and neglect so you know and understand some of the common problems that affect nursing home residents.

Get to Know the Staff and Administrators

Nursing home administrators handle the big-picture decisions that impact your parent’s daily quality of life. Here are some questions you might ask:

• How do you select your staff?
• What qualifications do staff members need to work here?
• How many staff members are on duty, and what is the ratio of staff members to residents?
• How often will the staff interact with my parent, and what will those interactions be like?
• What activities are available?
• What can I do if my parent believes they were mistreated by a staff member or a resident?
• How will you alert me if something is wrong with my parent?
• What are your procedures if my parent suffers a medical emergency?
• Can I contact you personally? And if not, who should I contact in the nursing home?

Ensure Caregivers Treat Your Parent Well

While getting to know the nursing home administrators is important, the staff members will have the most day-to-day contact with your parent.

• Ask your parent how they feel about the care they are receiving, and how they feel about the caregivers themselves.
• Be on the lookout for signs of abuse or neglect, such as:
  • Unexplained bruises, cuts, burns, or broken bones
  • The emergence of bedsores
  • Unexplained changes in demeanor
  • Poor hygiene
  • Signs of trauma or anxiety

Think Your Parent Is Being Neglected or Abused? Robenalt Law Can Help.

If you suspect your parent is not being cared for properly or that they are being neglected or mistreated, speak to the nursing home administrator about your concerns. You should also consider speaking to an experienced nursing home abuse and neglect attorney for guidance.

Robenalt Law can request and review copies of the nursing home medical records and provide advice on how to move forward. We can work with the nursing home to ensure your parent receives the care they deserve. When necessary, we have the expertise and resources to take your case to court to protect your parent’s legal rights.

Contact Robenalt Law Today

Robenalt Law has offices in Cleveland and Columbus and handles nursing home abuse and neglect cases throughout Ohio and nationwide.

Call our Cleveland office at (216) 223-7535 or our Columbus office at (614)-695-3800 or contact us online to schedule a free, confidential, no-obligation appointment to discuss your situation and how we can help.