How Can I Keep My Loved One Safe?
When you entrust a loved one to a nursing home, you also trust the facility to keep that person safe. Here’s what you need to know about safety.
While you can’t be with your loved one around the clock, you can take steps while selecting a nursing home to better ensure their safety. When you’re visiting facilities, make sure to ask the following questions:
- What are the procedures for handling emergencies?
- How many smoke detectors are on the property? Are they all functioning?
- What precautions are taken to ensure mobility?
- Can wheelchairs fit through halls and doors?
- Are the floors slip-proof?
- Are there handle rails provided in bathing areas?
Video: Lawyer lists Nursing Home Abuses
The National Fire Protection Association also recommends the following:
- Make sure the building is well maintained and that doors and hallways are not blocked.
- What is the staff-to-patient ratio?
- Are there guidelines for smokers?
- Are there safety systems such as alternative exits and sprinklers in place?
Make sure your questions are answered thoroughly and to your satisfaction.
Be Aware of Dangers
The Department of Health and Human Services has identified major drug-related dangers in nursing homes. These include:
Inappropriate medication- Medication received without prescription
- Failure to receive prescribed drugs
- Receipt of drugs inappropriate for the elderly
- Receipt of drugs that could have interactions
Other dangers include:
- Untrained or underpaid staff
- Mentally ill residents
- Faulty equipment
- Lack of emergency preparedness
- Abuse or neglect
Elderly abuse in particular has garnered significant attention in recent years. HelpGuide.org lists the following warning signs:
- Physical abuse, which may appear as unexplained injuries or bruises, broken bones or sprains, broken eyeglasses, signs of restraints such as rope marks, and the caregiver’s refusal to let you see your loved one;
- Emotional abuse, which can manifest in the signs above as well as threatening behavior that you witness or behavior from your loved one that mimics dementia, such as rocking, sucking, or mumbling;
- Sexual abuse, which often shows as bruises around the breasts or genitalia.
Other abuses include neglect, financial exploitation, and healthcare fraud and abuse. If you see signs of any abuse, immediately talk to nursing-home officials and, if necessary, law enforcement officials.
Video: Elder Abuse & Neglect in Nursing Homes
Emergency Management
Nursing-home staff should be well trained in case of an emergency. This includes a customized safety program as well as emergency-simulation exercises. There should also be live drills, spot checks of equipment, updates on changes in safety standards, and compliance validation.
Here are ten potential emergencies that could arise and how they should be handled:
- Fire: Alert staff with code word and activate alarm. Evacuate everyone in immediate danger, close doors to contain smoke and fire, close all doors to residents’ rooms, and make sure no resident is left behind.
- Invasion of nursing home by someone who might intend harm: Ask questions of any person who seems suspicious. Call 911 if necessary.
- Spills that may cause residents to fall: Clean up spills immediately.
- Natural disaster: Have enough staff on hand to efficiently move residents.
- Falls: Stabilize situation and call proper medical personnel.
- Mentally ill residents: Screen residents and monitor their behavior. Report any changes to administrators.
- Reaction to medication: Alert on-site medical staff. Call 911 if necessary.
- Faulty healthcare products: Discard and replace, or repair if feasible.
- Injuries as a result of restraints: Stabilize situation and determine if further use of restraints is necessary or feasible.
- Disorganization in responding to emergencies: Draft and maintain an up-to-date emergency management plan.