Maryland Nursing Home Lawyer Blog
Trusting the care of our loved ones to a nursing home is always easier when you have faith in the facilities and staff members. As family members and loved ones in Maryland age, they can sometimes require more care than is available at home, making nursing homes a necessary step to allow them to age gracefully. Unfortunately, due to recent events and hiring levels, many nursing homes are understaffed and or under-resourced. Any location that your loved ones go to must be fully prepared to take care of their physical, emotional, and mental health.
According to a recent news article, nearly a third of all nursing homes are rated as below average. Reasons for below-average ratings can range from overcrowding to substandard care or worse. It is important to research and look out for certain common issues that can be found in nursing homes throughout Maryland. Here are three issues to consider before selecting a nursing home for your family member or loved one:
Staff availability. Not only is it vital to verify that the nursing home you select is staffed at an appropriate level, but nursing homes offer a variety of staff availability levels throughout the day, ranging from around-the-clock care to less hands-on shift times. Additionally, good long-term care locations will offer registered nurses on duty and licensed practical nurses available on request.
Response time. Unfortunately, one of the most common complaints when it comes to long-term care locations and nursing homes is the response time by staff members. It is essential that the staff is quickly responsive to the needs of residents, and can offer them the care they deserve. It is a good idea to find out how many residents each staff member is responsible for, or at least to understand the staff-to-resident ratio when making your choice.
Food quality and taste. A frequent complaint about nursing homes revolves around the taste, variety, and quality of the food served to residents. When choosing a location, make sure that residents are offered high-quality choices and that food options can be tailored to potential health needs.
How Can You Spot Elder Abuse?
In Maryland, the appropriate program to contact if you suspect your family member or loved one is suffering from abuse is the Maryland Adult Protective Services (APS). APS investigates the exploitation and abuse of adults and elderly individuals throughout the state, including physical, mental, emotional, and financial abuse. Common signs of abuse include unexplained bruising, burning, scarring, depression, confusion, or dramatic changes in spending habits. Simply staying in close contact with your family member or loved one can tip you off to these common symptoms and could potentially save lives. It is important to remember that abuse can be perpetrated by a loved one, caregivers, and staff at a nursing home facility.
Do You Need a Maryland Elder Abuse Attorney?
If you or a loved one suspect you have suffered abuse or neglect at a nursing home or long-term care facility in Maryland, contact the attorneys at Lebowitz & Mzhen today for assistance. Our lawyers have years of experience fighting for the injured and will work to provide you with the support, legal knowledge, and confidence to proceed with your claim. The costs stemming from injury or abuse can quickly become overwhelming, and having a team of experienced lawyers on your side can make all the difference. We will fight to get you the compensation you and your loved ones deserve. To schedule a free and confidential initial consultation today, contact us at 800-654-1949.