How to Find the Right Nursing Home & Lower the

Risk of Abuse & Neglect

Presented by:

Angela T. Vagotis Co. LPA Huntington Bank Building

Suite 940

220 Market Ave., South

Canton, Oh 44702

www.avagotislaw.com

Where to Start

Nursing home abuse and neglect are real.

Nearly 1 in 3 U.S. nursing homes were cited for violations of federal standards that had potential to cause harm or that had caused actual harm to a resident between 1999 and 2001, according to a federal report.

But you can reduce the likelihood of your loved ones becoming victims by carefully vetting the facility that will care for them.

Here are important tips for assessing a long-term care facility, based on information provided by the Ohio Department of Aging.

Location

Be realistic.

Will the distance between the nursing home and friends and family facilitate or hinder visits to your loved one?

Regular visits and vigilant observation are two of the best ways to identify nursing home neglect or abuse before it reaches a critical level.

Services

Does the facility’s description of services match your loved one’s medical, social and community connection needs?

On the other hand, family members of a person at risk for medical complications would want to find a facility that has appropriate medical staff on around-the-clock duty.

For example, in selecting a facility for a person who enjoys socialization and an active lifestyle, it would be good to consider nursing homes that offer a wide variety of activities and outings.

Quality Indicators

The Ohio Department of Health provides a wide range of reports on nursing homes. Make sure to check the following information (all easily available online) as part of your review:

• Inspection Reports, providing information on compliance with state and federal law

• Facility Details, such as special services, religious or fraternal affiliations, accreditation, costs, and staffing ratios

• Family Satisfaction Survey Scores, reflecting the opinions of residents’ family members

• Resident Satisfaction Survey Scores, detailing residents’ perceptions gathered through face-to-face surveys

Costs

Once you have your short list of preferred nursing homes, it’s imperative to visit each facility to observe practices and interview administration, staff, residents and residents’ families. Here are some things to look for:

As you narrow down your options, confirm with each facility that it will accept your loved one’s insurance coverage or Medicaid or Medicare or that the rates are within your ability to pay privately.

Good Signs

Look for positive staff behavior, like: • Treating residents with respect, friendliness and

patience • Knowing residents by name • Being familiar with residents’ likes and dislikes • Knocking before entering a resident’s room • Assisting residents with eating, as needed

Other good signs are if a facility:

• Provides appetizing meals in a clean, pleasant setting • Allows residents – even those in shared rooms – some

amount of privacy • Arranges appropriate activities and leisure time • Offers residents’ the opportunity to be outside

Warning Signs

Reasons for concern include: Poor maintenance Lack of cleanliness both in common

areas and residents’ rooms Staff socializing together instead of

addressing residents’ needs Unappetizing meals served at the

wrong times or wrong temperatures You should also be wary if you see

residents: Dressed improperly with poor

personal hygiene Slumped in wheelchairs in hallways Given unappetizing food at the wrong

times or the wrong temperature Left unassisted and unable to eat at

mealtime

Interviewing Tips

Interviewing the director or other supervisor is also a good tool in assessing whether a long-term care facility is appropriate for your loved one. The state of Ohio provides an online checklist that can serve as the basis for those discussions.

In addition to the director, you should also try to speak with a resident or two and their families at each facility. Their insights can provide useful information to help shape your decision.

Or call her at 330-456-4122.

Of course, even with the most careful vetting process, unexpected acts

of abuse or neglect can occur in nearly any long-term care setting.

If you believe a loved one is the victim of nursing home neglect or

abuse, contact authorities immediately and find an expert who can help

you sort through your situation.

Registered nurse attorney Angela T. Vagotis has provided expert

representation for many nursing home abuse or neglect victims.

Visit her website at www.avagotislaw.com for more information.