The Role of Families in Preventing Nursing Home Neglect in San Bernardino County

Did you know that families can play an essential role when it comes to identifying and reporting nursing home abuse and neglect in San Bernardino County facilities? From the start, when choosing a facility for your elderly loved one, you can make a big difference by doing your research and selecting one with a strong safety record and no warning signs indicating safety issues.

Although it is important to remember that nursing home abuse and neglect can occur at any facility - even those with a sterling safety record - your elderly loved one is often more likely to receive better care at a highly rated nursing home. Later on, once your elderly loved one has moved into the facility, you can visit regularly, keep a close eye out for any changes that suggest potential problems, and then seek help.

Family members can take many steps in preventing and reporting nursing home abuse in San Bernardino County. The following are key points to remember about your role in keeping your elderly parent or other loved one healthy and safe:

• Conduct research into facilities and only consider those with high safety ratings and records;
• Visit any facilities you are considering to look for red flags, and be sure to visit in both scheduled appointments and at unscheduled times to get a sense of how the facility functions when staff members are not planning a visit;
• Regularly visit your elderly loved one and look for any signs of abuse or neglect (recognizing that, by reporting any concerns quickly, you can prevent additional and future harm); and
• Know how to report elder abuse, including by calling local law enforcement or reaching out to the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program in San Bernardino County.

What are some of the common signs of abuse and neglect you should watch for when you visit a facility and your elderly loved one? The American Psychological Association (APA) cites the following:

• Bruises, cuts, burns, scars, or any other physical wounds that are unexplained;
• Bed sores that have gone untreated;
• Changes in your elderly loved one, such as loss of interest in regular activities or anxiety around a particular staff member;
• Unexplained sexually transmitted infections;
• Unexplained weight loss; and/or
• Basic hygiene issues.

Do you have an elderly loved one who is currently residing in a San Bernardino nursing home or assisted living facility, and do you have concerns about their safety or general well-being? It can be difficult to trust your instincts in some cases, but if you have any sense of concern, you should seek advice from a San Bernardino County nursing home neglect lawyer at our firm. We can discuss your elderly loved one’s circumstances with you and help you to take action if there is reason to suspect abuse or neglect. Contact Nursing Home Law Group today for help with your elderly loved one’s case.