Nursing Home Abuse Prevention Tips for you and your loved ones

Tennessee residents and people all across the United States hear about reports of nursing home abuse constantly and many people wonder why it is not be taken care of. One of the reasons is often because professionals have not been properly trained and do not know how to properly care for the elderly in order to prevent the abuse from occurring in the first place. Here are some nursing home abuse prevention tips to know about to help make sure your loved ones are getting the best care possible. If you still have concerns or would like to report a claim of nursing home abuse, it is important to speak with a Tennessee nursing home abuse lawyer right away. They will work with you and your loved one to make sure you get the compensation and care you and your loved one need.

When we are decide to place our loved one in a nursing home we are placing their care in someone else’s hands but that does not mean there is nothing we can do to help prevent problems or abuse. If you are concerned family member or friend you can do the following to help prevent abuse of your loved ones and others’ loved ones as well:

• Look for possible signs or symptoms of abuse when you visit (i.e. bruises, sores, restraint marks, soiled clothes or bedding)
• If you suspect abuse report it immediately to a local agency or to the police and also alert the nursing home itself • Pay close attention to your loved one’s medications and make sure the amount matches or closely matches the prescription date • Ask your loved one if you may look over their financial records to make sure that everything is in order
• Call and visit often so your loved one knows you are there for them • Tell the caregiver you do not mind staying with them if the person needs a break whenever possible
If you are a caregiver and are concerned about being overworked or not receiving enough training and need tips to prevent nursing home abuse, you may find these tips helpful:

• Request help from family, friends, relatives or your place of employment about break times and training options • Look into adult day care and respite care programs a couple hours each day • Make sure to stay healthy and active and to see a doctor when you need to • Find support groups or counseling to help with stress or depression • Call a nursing home abuse hotline when and if needed If you are the loved one receiving the nursing home care or other health care and want to know if there is anything you can do to make sure you do not become a victim of nursing home abuse, these tips may help you:

• Make sure your financial and legal matters are taken care of properly or hire a professional to help if needed • Stay in touch with family and friends to avoid becoming isolated which may increase elderly abuse • Speak up about your care if you are unsatisfied or would like things handled differently (i.e. tell someone you trust, call a hotline, or contact a lawyer if needed)

Nursing home abuse and neglect unfortunately happen to many people every day including Tennessee residents, however, there are many things family members, friends, caregivers, and even the elderly can do to prevent this from happening. If you feel that you or someone you love has been the victim of nursing home abuse, it is strongly recommended that you contact one of our compassionate and experienced nursing home abuse attorneys immediately. We will work with you and your loved one to make sure they get the care and treatment they deserve.