Nursing home and assisted living facilities are in place to care for our elderly loved ones when we cannot. When we make the tough decision to enter our parents or other senior loved ones into a nursing home, we do so thinking they will be well-cared for and looked after by professionals. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. Nursing home abuse and neglect is a growing and serious problem in the United States. While placing your loved one in a skilled nursing facility is definitely the best decision you can make, it does not come without problems and potential risks. Nursing homes have been given a bad rap for years, and while many of the things people believe about nursing homes are mistruths, not all of them are. We cannot guarantee the safety of our loved ones in a nursing home, but there are several things we can do in order to ensure they are in a facility that will follow protocol, provide adequate and loving care, and keep our loved ones safe. As well-respected Oklahoma nursing home abuse lawyers, we know how hard it can be to send your loved one to an assisted living facility, only to learn they have been abused by those we entrusted with their care. If you find yourself in this situation, give us a call, we can help.
Let’s take a look at some of the most common nursing home myths and realities. We hope this gives you a deeper understanding of the industry itself and what should be expected when your loved one is under the care of a nursing home staff.
Myth: Only nursing home staff can dictate the care received.
Reality: Residents and family members have the right to participate in the care plan.
Many people mistakenly believe that their hands are tied when it comes to making decisions about the care of a loved one when they are in a nursing home. While the staff are trained to deliver care and make decisions, you also have a say. This is especially important to keep in mind when you suspect abuse, neglect, or some other type of nursing home error.
Myth: Restraints are required to keep the resident under control.
Reality: Restraints cannot be used as a form of discipline or out of convenience.
One of the most common things we see occur in cases of nursing home abuse in Oklahoma is the misuse of restraints. Low quality nursing homes and inadequately trained staff have been known to use restraints both out of convenience and to discipline residents. This is absolutely illegal and if you ever suspect restraints have been used like this on your loved ones, please contact AMA Law immediately.
Myth: Family visiting hours are restricted.
Reality: Family members have the right to visit at any time, day or night.
If the nursing home staff will not allow you to visit your loved one aside from specific hours, you should immediately be concerned. When nursing home abuse is occurring, staff members will try and keep family members away and gain more control over residents. If you’ve ever been told that nursing home visiting hours are restricted, contact a nursing home abuse lawyer right away.
Nursing home abuse can have a lasting, devastating impact on the lives of victims and their family members. To discuss a specific nursing home abuse case with one of our knowledgeable attorneys, please contact us today.