If you’re in the process of placing an elderly loved one in a Kentucky nursing home, you likely have a great deal of questions on your mind. The decision to place a family member in a long-term care facility isn’t an easy one, and if you’re deciding between more than one facility, you understandable have a lot to consider. Keeping your loved one safe should be your highest priority.
One way to ensure they remain safe and get the care they need is to speak to the staff at each facility and ask them some of the questions you have on your mind. Be direct as possible when asking questions and gauge the answers accordingly. In addition to standard questions regarding payment, admission procedures, insurance, etc., here are 8 excellent questions you should ask before making a decision regarding nursing home placement:
- How many licensed nurses are on duty during each shift?
- What is the patient-to-staff ratio?
- These first two questions are a good way to ensure your loved one will get the care they require and won’t get neglected. Ask multiple facilities the same questions and compare the results.
- Is transportation available if a resident needs to see a doctor?
- It’s important that your loved one visits a doctor regularly, and if they already have a doctor they like, transportation to that doctor’s office will be important. It’s almost always better to keep using a private doctor if possible, since the facility’s provided doctor will generally be overwhelmed with patients.
- Can the family decide when care planning meetings are held?
- You will want to attend these meetings, so having the ability to decide when these meetings are held is important.
- What security systems/features are in place to protect residents?
- You can get an idea of a facility’s security measures by taking a tour, but asking this question lets staff members know that safety is a priority to you. Every staff member should know how secure their residents are.
- How many residents participate in facility activities?
- The answer to this question gives you an idea of how much effort the facility places into activities. Your loved one may enjoy taking part in activities, and doing so can boost their quality of life substantially.
- How long, on average, does it take for a staff member to respond to a resident needing assistance to use the restroom?
- This is another quality-of-care question. You may wish to ask it to multiple staff members so you can get as honest of an answer as possible.
- What type of personal items can a resident have?
- Some facilities allow residents to keep more items than others. Most residents are happier when they have more personal items with them.
It’s important to always voice your concerns to the staff members at the nursing home you choose. Let them know that you’re going to take an active role in ensuring your loved one gets the best care possible, and they will do their best to make that happen. Keeping the lines of communication open also lessens the chance of abuse or neglect potentially occurring.
If you do ever suspect abuse or neglect, it’s important to take steps immediately to relocate your loved one to a safer environment. If you have reason to believe your loved one was injured or has suffered due to neglect or abuse, you should get in touch with a Paducah nursing home abuse lawyer as soon as possible. You may be able to file a lawsuit against the facility or guilty staff member who allowed the abuse or neglect to occur.
To learn more, contact Daryl T. Dixon Law today. Our law office can help your loved one recover from a tragic incident that shouldn’t have occurred. For more tips, follow us on social media as well.
