Nursing home complaints are on the rise across the country. This is not a definitive list, but an outline of five of the most commonly reported ones. It is your right to look out for these issues as you tour a nursing home or place a loved one in a facility’s care.
Discrimination Against Medicaid-Eligible Residents
Since Medicaid residents are typically on a fixed income, nursing homes tend to claim that they lose money on each person who relies on the government program and that often leads to inferior treatment. The law requires that all residents of a nursing home must be treated equally and compassionately, regardless of how they’re paying to be there.
Lack of Communication About Care Planning
Oftentimes, the resident’s family member is making key care decisions on their behalf. This requires regular and consistent communication with nursing home staff while ensuring that plans are followed through with. Sometimes, they are not and this can result in a breakdown of trust and a serious complaint.
Not Listening to the Resident’s Preferences
If the resident is able to offer his or her own sound care preferences, then the law requires that they are listened to. Regardless of what the facility staff thinks is best, a resident’s preferences must be considered first and foremost.
Failing to Provide Essential and Sanitary Services
Especially in this pandemic era, it is crucial that the facility maintain a safe and hygienic standard of living for staff and residents alike. If any health violations appear, they must be reported and rectified immediately.
Improper Use of Physical Restraints
Some residents suffering from mental or physical degradation may need to be restrained in order to provide proper care. There is, of course, a proper way of doing this and if certain safety standards are not followed, the situation can do more harm than good.
In terms of nursing home complaints, these are the tip of the iceberg. As staffing and budgetary concerns continue to be an issue, nursing home complaints are not subsisting any time soon. If you’re not getting your complaints resolved (either for you or on behalf of a loved one), it may be time to enlist the help of a nursing home abuse and neglect law firm like Rabb and Rabb, PLLC. We understand the compassion and care that these cases require while aggressively protecting the rights of those you care about most. Call (520) 888-6740 to learn more.
