The Role of Families in Preventing Nursing Home Neglect in Los Angeles County

California has thousands of nursing homes and assisted living facilities, and a large number of those are located in Los Angeles County. Moving a beloved elderly family member into a nursing home or assisted living facility can be a difficult decision to make, especially when you have concerns about your elderly loved one’s health or safety. While many family members do not always know it, they are often in the best position to help prevent elder abuse in the facility where their loved one resides. Our Los Angeles County nursing home abuse and neglect attorney can help.

Families who play key roles in their elderly loved ones’ lives are frequently the best line of defense against nursing home abuse and neglect. If you have an elderly parent or grandparent who will soon be moving into a nursing home or is currently residing in one, you may be wondering what you can do.

First, you can research the best nursing homes or assisted living facilities in Los Angeles County. Although abuse can even occur at facilities with promising health and safety reputations, you can help your elderly loved one move into a facility that has taken resident health and safety seriously.

Next, you can make visits to those facilities yourself in order to spot any concerning issues before you help your elderly loved one select a particular location. Common red flags can be spotted relatively easily if you make an in-person visit.

Finally, every time you visit your elderly loved one or accompany them to a health care provider, you can look for any signs of abuse or neglect. If you see anything concerning, you should report it.

When you are working to choose the best and safest facility for your elderly parent or grandparent, what are some of the red flags that you should look for when you visit? According to US News & World Report, the following are all red flags that should lead you to choose another facility (and are all red flags that can help you to prevent abuse or neglect affecting your loved one):

• Staff members rushing around, call lights or phones going unanswered, and other indicators that the facility is understaffed;
• High staff turnover;
• Observing any disrespectful staff members;
• Use of restraints at the facility;
• Limited or lack of socializing among residents;
• Cleanliness issues in rooms or other areas of the facility;
• Bad smells;
• Poor food quality; and
• Bad feeling you get, even if you cannot articulate precisely why.

Many family members do not realize the critical role they play in spotting, reporting, and ultimately preventing elder abuse and neglect. When you have an elderly loved one in a nursing home or assisted living facility, you are often in the best situation to recognize concerning issues or changes in your loved one and to take appropriate and timely action. If you have any questions, an experienced Los Angeles County nursing home neglect lawyer at our firm can speak with you today. Contact Nursing Home Law Group for more information about the services we provide to elderly nursing home residents and their families.