As people grow older or reach 50-60 years, the demand for care and support increases. Most people send their loved ones at elderly age to nursing homes. Not all nursing homes are secure and ideal choices for them.
Even after thorough research, most people experience various problems in nursing homes, such as abuse or neglect, maltreatment, inadequate care, and so on… The primary reason behind such misconduct and concerns is unawareness of what their rights are and how to protect them.
Wondering how you can improve your loved one’s quality of life and safeguard their rights and well-being in a nursing home setting? Look nowhere else!
Here are some proactive tips that will surely help you out.
Understand Your Loved One’s Rights
First of all, you need to know and understand the rights your senior loved one has. Let’s check out some must-have rights:
– Right to Privacy and Control Over their Space
Ensure that your loved one’s personal space—which includes their room and belongings—is treated with the utmost dignity and respect they deserve.
This implies that they must have complete control over who can enter their space. What’s more, they have the right to know how their personal items are handled.
– Right to Seek Information and Ask Questions & Concerns
Having comprehensive information about their care is what your loved one is entitled to. This detailed information must include:
- a detail-oriented understanding of their care plan,
- any medications they are prescribed, and
- updates regarding any alterations to their treatment strategy.
Additionally, they must have the right to ask questions and receive satisfactory, understandable answers on time.
– Right to Take Part in Care Planning
Never restrict your senior loved one in discussions pertaining to their care and treatment. Be all ears to what they feel and express.
Try to empower them to share their preferences and desires with you. This will ensure that their wishes are respected and fulfilled. No matter what decisions you have to make, engage your senior loved one and seek advice from them.
– Right to Refuse Treatment
Fundamentally, your loved one understands they have the authority to refuse medical treatments or interventions.
Even if such refusals could compromise their health and well-being, this right stands true. The primary purpose behind the validity of this right is that their autonomy and comfort must always be a top priority.
– Right to be Free from Abuse and Neglect
Every person has the absolute right to reside in an environment free from any form of abuse or neglect, and nursing homes are no exception.
This protection encompasses physical, verbal, emotional, and financial abuse. So, figure out and address vigilantly any signs of maltreatment your loved one is experiencing in a nursing home.
Suppose your loved one is residing in a Huntsville, AL-based nursing home, and you get to know they are facing abuse and neglect there. In that case, consulting one of the best Huntsville Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys is the best move.
Working together with your legal partner will ensure their well-protected rights and a safe and fulfilling lifestyle.
Document and Report Concerns
Don’t underestimate the power of documenting and reporting concerns of your loved one residing in a nursing home. Here’s what to consider:
– Keep All-Inclusive Records – Take the time to document any instances of suspected abuse, neglect, or substandard care accurately. Remember to include all the specifics of each incident, such as dates, times, locations, and the names of individuals involved.
– Gather Visual Evidence – Capture photographs of any injuries sustained, unsafe living conditions, or other evidence that may significantly support your senior loved one’s concerns. Once you have comprehensive visual documentation at hand, you can substantiate claims of neglect or abuse.
– Report Concerns Swiftly – If you notice any worrying signs, reaching out to the nursing home administration promptly becomes necessary. So you can better report your concerns. Also, consider consulting the state ombudsman program or Adult Protective Services (APS) for guidance and assistance.
– Contact Professionals – If you’re looking for further support, the option to contact the National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center at 1-800-677-1116 exists. The professionals will provide valuable resources and surefire advocacy for you and your senior loved one.
Advocate for Your Loved One
– Attend Care Planning Meetings – Stay present at care planning meetings must be a top priority. Participating in such meetings will ensure that your loved one’s specific needs, interests, and concerns are heard and addressed in their care plan.
– Contact Staff Regularly – Make it a habit to communicate with nursing home staff openly. Keep a regular check on your loved one’s health and well-being. Evaluate whether nursing home staff address their questions and concerns promptly, which is vital for a cooperative relationship.
– Stay Connected with Them – Consistently contact with your senior loved one. Do share your experiences, take suggestions from them, and listen to what they want to say. Frequently visits them to provide emotional support and meet their needs and desires.
Further, stay informed about their condition and the quality of care they are receiving at a nursing home. Plus, engage in activities they enjoy most so you can bolster their happiness and quality of life.
– Seek Legal Help – If you suspect your loved one is experiencing continuous abuse or neglect in a nursing home, it’s wise to hire an experienced nursing home abuse attorney for your support. These professionals can offer legal advice and help you protect your loved one’s rights and pursue compensation claims.
Ensure Their Long-term Financial Stability and Protection
Financial stability and protection for longer rank as the significant rights every senior citizen must have. Let’s look at some ways to ensure their financial rights while staying in the nursing homes.
– Invest in Long-Term Care Insurance
Explore multiple long-term care insurance options to choose from. Securing a comprehensive insurance plan can alleviate the financial burden of nursing home care. What else it does is significantly assist in covering costs linked to extended care that your loved one needs most.
– Take Advantage of Irrevocable Trusts
Remember, an irrevocable trust can serve as a strategic tool when protecting your senior loved one’s assets from nursing home expenses. This trust will offer you the ultimate peace of mind, knowing your loved one’s financial future is secure.
– Establish a Long-lasting Power of Attorney
Ensure that your loved one designates a durable power of attorney for both financial and healthcare decisions. This power of attorney will empower someone to act in their best interest, particularly in situations where they may be unable to make wise decisions for themselves.
