Maryland Nursing Home Lawyer Blog
As our loved ones get older, the process of finding and choosing a nursing home can be both taxing and challenging. With so many options available and various factors to consider, it can often feel overwhelming. Not only do you have the responsibility to ensure that all of your loved one’s needs are met, but also that they feel safe, respected, and well taken care of in their new home.
How Can Families Ensure Residents in Maryland Nursing Homes Remain Safe?
Elder abuse and neglect are common in nursing homes and can be hard to identify until it’s too late. Sometimes, even nursing homes that receive high ratings have occurrences of elder abuse. Thus, it is crucial that you are thorough, diligent, and alert when deciding on a nursing home. Below are a few things to keep in mind when selecting a nursing home for an aging loved one.
Thoroughly conduct research of available options
No one can articulate the unique needs of your loved ones the way you can. If your loved one requires a specific type of nursing or physical care, this can help narrow down the list of options.
Considering other factors, such as how many staff are on duty at a given time, the available amenities, and how many residents will also be a part of the community, is also important. In addition, being thorough by reading online reviews from your community through Google, Yelp, and Facebook can often shed light on positive or negative experiences of others that can guide your decision-making.
Because choosing a nursing home is a deeply personal choice and process, sometimes word-of-mouth recommendations can be incredibly valuable. If you have other friends or family who have used a particular facility, they could also serve as a supportive and helpful resource as you search for the right one.
Schedule an in-person visit on your own or with your loved one
Although this may be challenging in light of COVID-19, scheduling an in-person visit can give you the clearest picture of what the facilities are really like. If social distancing precludes you from making the trip, requesting a video or FaceTime tour could be a sensible alternative that gives you a live, unstaged view of the nursing home.
While on your tour, consider how the nursing home residents look and observe the interactions between nursing staff and the community. Going in person can also help you pick up sensory details you may miss in a video or photo tour alone, such as odors, cleanliness, or a physically outdated facility.
Visit frequently, if possible
To get the best picture of what a facility looks like on a daily basis, visiting without calling ahead can often be a revealing experience. Because of COVID-19, this may be challenging, so check on the nursing home’s visitation requirements before just popping in.
Do You Need a Maryland Nursing Home Attorney?
If someone you love has recently experienced Maryland nursing home abuse or neglect, contact the attorneys at Lebowitz & Mzhen today. Our attorneys have years of experience representing clients from nursing homes and will work to get you and your loved ones the compensation you deserve. To schedule a free consultation today, contact us at 800-654-1949.