Frequently Asked Questions About Nursing Home Abuse in Long Beach
Get Legal Help Today from a Long Beach Nursing Home Abuse Attorney
At The Law Firm of Joseph H. Low IV, we know how important family is. Putting a relative in a nursing home or assisted living facility is a very difficult decision for a family to make together. You look for the best quality of care available in the nursing home environment. The rate of nursing home abuse in this country is alarming and needs to be stopped. If you or a loved one has been a victim of nursing home abuse or neglect, contact our Long Beach injury lawyers at (888) 454-5569.
Here are some helpful answers to commonly asked questions regarding nursing homes.
What is a nursing home?
A nursing home is a facility in which elderly and disabled persons are protected and cared for by skilled employees. A nursing home is an option for people who can no longer remain living in their home alone, but do not need the resources of a hospital.
How many people in America live in nursing homes?
Over 1.6 million Americans live in nursing homes.
How many nursing homes are there in the U.S.?
There are over 16,000 nursing homes being run in the U.S. today.
How many residents live in a nursing home?
Some nursing homes have less than 30 residents, while others have hundreds.
Who should I talk to when I begin looking for a nursing home?
If you are looking for a nursing home or assisted living facility for a family member you may want to speak with their doctor and ask for a few recommendations. Your relative's doctor should be familiar with your loved one's medical needs and will probably know of some facilities that would be well suited. Other family members and family friends may be good resources for nursing home advice.
What should I look for when choosing a Long Beach nursing home for my family member?
Visit a variety of nursing homes while in the process of choosing a nursing home for your loved one. Be observant and take notes to help you remember the pros and cons of each. Do the residents appear to be happy, healthy, active, and social? What is the condition of their physical appearance- are their clothes clean and well kept, do they have good personal hygiene? How many employees does the facility have? Is the facility odor-free and clean? Does the nursing home have activities and food that your loved one would enjoy? Is the nursing home in your price range? Does the facility perform the health care needs that your loved one requires? These are a few questions to keep in mind while looking for the right nursing home for your relative.
How many cases of nursing home abuse are reported each year?
The amount of nursing home abuse cases that are documented each year may be lower than the true number because many cases go unreported for various reasons. In a recent 2 year period over 5,000 nursing homes in the U.S. were cited for abuse violations. That makes up over 30% of America's nursing homes.
What is nursing home neglect?
Nursing home neglect is the failure of a caregiver of a nursing home to properly care for and protect the person they are watching over. This includes the failure to protect the elder from physical and mental harm, including harm from other residents. Failure to provide adequate treatment of existing medical conditions, broken or fractured bones, and poor hygiene are other examples of nursing home neglect.
What are different types of nursing home abuse?
Residents of nursing homes may suffer from physical abuse, sexual abuse, mental/emotional abuse, or financial abuse.
What are restraints?
Physical restraints are types of equipment that are sometimes used to confine a person to a bed or wheelchair and lessen the ability to move the body. These types of restraints should only be used when medically necessary and should NEVER be used as discipline. Chemical restraints are medications that are not medically required and are used to calm residents down. Chemical restraints should NEVER be used as a controlling device on the resident.
What should I do if I suspect nursing home abuse?
If you suspect nursing home abuse you need to get help right away. If someone is in severe danger call the police at once. If the possible neglect is not an emergency, notify the administrator in charge of the nursing home and discuss the problem with them. You should remove your loved one from the nursing home and visit a doctor or hospital if necessary. Once you have taken care of any immediate medical needs your loved one may have, call an experienced Long Beach nursing home abuse lawyer for advice.
Who can file a complaint against a nursing home?
Residents of the nursing home, the family of a resident and community members may file a complaint against a nursing home.
What rights do I have if a make a complaint against a Long Beach nursing home?
You have the right to anonymity, the right to attend the investigation of the nursing home with the investigator, and you have the right to a copy of the report of anything that was discovered about the investigation of the nursing home
If your loved one has been the victim of nursing home abuse or negligence in Long Beach, call The Law Firm of Joseph H. Low IV. We are dedicated to protecting the rights of our clients. Call (888) 454-5569 and speak to Mr. Low personally for a free case evaluation.