As background checks more and more become the norm in hiring situations, you would expect it to be a forgone conclusion in hiring at nursing homes and retirement communities.
For the most part it is, but stories of abuse and negligence still surface as these facilities continually become understaffed and underpaid. This obviously makes it more and more difficult to maintain high grades in inspections.
Some facilities aren’t even allowed to use the name “nursing home” if they have a history of unsatisfactory in health inspections. They have to use the name “Special Focus Facility.” Be aware of this distinction if you’re ever in position to have to find a good nursing home for a family member.
While you’re at it, do your due diligence and research the history of the nursing homes or retirement communities you’re considering. Are their inspection grades high? What is their hiring criteria? How do YOU feel when you walk in the doors of the facility. Do they have a BBB record?
If you have a friend or loved one in a nursing home facility, here are 3 signs of abuse or neglect to keep an eye out for:
High Staff Turnover/Less Staff: If you notice repeated new hires and significant turnover in the staff, this could be a problem. High turnover means more opportunity for poor communication with regard to care for a patient and missed check-ups. If you notice the size of the staff getting less and less, this is a red flag. That means fewer people to take care of residents/patients, which increases possibility of abuse.
Bed Sores: This may seem like common sense, but you wouldn’t believe the number of people who make excuses and allow the problem to worsen before they finally speak up. This usually happens to a patient who is confined to bed and is not being moved into different positions enough for correct blood circulation. These are precursors to gangrene and can be deadly.
Fewer patient activities: Event organizers and coordinators are a major factor in the quality of life of nursing home and retirement community residents. If you notice fewer and fewer individual and group activities for patients and residents, this could be a sign of budget cuts and should be a warning sign. Event organizers are inexplicably regarded as disposable in too many cases, and this could have major impact on the well-being of your family member or friend.
Categories: Nannies and Caregivers
