How can I find out if a nursing home is good or bad?
There isn’t a definitive list of “good” or “bad” nursing homes, but you can make better decisions if you do some educated snooping and make proper use the information that’s available. You should visit any home you’re considering so you can see for yourself where your father might live.
- Does the facility seem clean and well organized?
- Is the staff responsive?
- Search the Internet for articles, forums or information from past/present residents and family about the facility.
- Take notes and ask for copies of written policies concerning patient care.
You should also contact the Texas Department of Human Services (1-800-458-9858) to check state survey reports. Every nursing home in the state is inspected annually, and the TDHS can tell you whether the home you’re considering has violated state or federal standards
What are the warning signs that a nursing home may be unsafe?
When considering a Texas nursing home for your elder loved one, it can sometimes be difficult to look past the sales pitch and see the warning signs of nursing home abuse and neglect.
When touring a nursing home, be on the lookout for these warning signs:
- Unclean sheets, floors, or bathrooms.
- Unwelcoming staff members or administrators.
- Strong odors – either of urine or of strong cleaners.
- Evidence of restraint use, such as straps, vests, and wheelchair restraints.
- A low number of staffers on the floor.
- A low number of residents out and about (or a high number of residents medicated and in bed).
- A lack of safety features, such as grab bars and slip-resistant pads.
- Nursing home residents that are not well groomed.
- Uneaten food or unappetizing food.
- Dark hallways and undecorated rooms.
When touring a nursing home, ask to see an occupied room and to meet a resident or two. Visit unannounced and during a meal for the most accurate observations.
If you believe you have a Dallas nursing home abuse case, call Rasansky | McKenzie Law today to speak with a Texas nursing home neglect attorney.
How do I find a safe nursing home?
There is no sure way to find a nursing home unless you can personally vouch for the quality of care from a personal and intricate inspection of the home. Make an effort to visit the facility several times and at different times of the day. Pay close attention to how the staff behaves when dealing with patients. Observe the residents and take note if they seem happy or uptight. Examine the nursing home itself and determine whether it looks and smells clean, and if the patients are likewise well-groomed. For further assistance, ask a family member or friend for a recommendation or use an established nursing home finder service.
What are the warning signs of abuse?
If you suspect nursing home abuse, then start looking for physical evidence. Examine your relative’s body and look for broken bones, cuts, scars or sores. If you see evidence of physical abuse ask the patient what happened. Remember, the patient might not admit the abuse at first. If necessary, talk to staff members of the home, the staff supervisor or the attending physician. You even have the right to see the patient’s medical chart. For signs of neglect, carefully inspect the patient’s body and note if the resident seems dirty or malnourished. Make sure the patient’s room is clean. Take note of any signs of depression or drastic changes in the resident’s typical behavior.
Read more: Signs of Nursing Home Abuse
What are the warning signs of sexual abuse in a nursing home?
Though shocking, sexual nursing home abuse is a reality for far too many seniors in TX adult care programs. Unfortunately, elders often have difficultly communicating their abuse to others. What are the signs of sexual abuse in a nursing home?
- The appearance of sexually transmitted diseases.
- Your loved one has a fear of certain nursing home staffers or residents.
- Your loved one becomes suddenly withdrawn or depressed.
- Your loved one suddenly has trouble walking or complains of pain in the genital area.
- Your loved one has bruising on their thighs, buttocks, or breasts.
What are the warning signs of nursing home neglect?
If you have an elder loved one living in a Texas nursing home or adult care center, it is vital that you are familiar with the signs of nursing home neglect:
- Bedsores or pressure sores.
- Frozen joints – your loved one is not often moved from bed or turned.
- Over medication – your loved one seems drugged or vacant.
- Unnecessary restraints.
- Malnutrition and weight loss.
- Dehydration and thirst.
- Long waits before being able to visit your loved one.
- Dirty clothing or bed sheets.
- An unclean or unsanitary environment.
- A sudden change in your loved one’s demeanor.
- Unkempt appearance – such as tangled hair or dirty fingernails.
- Signs of feces or urine on your loved one’s bed or clothes.
Is dehydration a possible sign of nursing home neglect?
Dehydration in the elderly is often a sign of nursing home neglect. There are a number of causes of dehydration – and nursing homes have a responsibility to make certain that your elder loved one is properly hydrated.
Dehydration is a serious issue with dangerous consequences. Not having enough water can lead to health issues including urinary tract infections, pneumonia, bed sores, and electrolyte imbalances.
There are a number of causes of dehydration, such as:
- Simply not receiving the proper liquid intake.
- An illness that causes fluid loss, such as diarrhea.
- A side-effect of a medication.
- Not drinking enough fluids due to a medical condition.
It is important to understand that even if your loved one’s nursing home is not responsible for the initial cause of the dehydration, they are responsible for detecting dehydration and acting to remedy the issue. Nursing home staff members should be trained to understand the dangers of fluid loss, to provide fluid to patients, and to recognize the signs of dehydration.
If you believe your loved one has suffered from severe dehydration due to nursing home neglect, contact the Dallas nursing home negligence attorneys at Rasansky | McKenzie Law today.
Is pneumonia a sign of nursing home neglect?
It is possible for pneumonia to be the result of Texas nursing home neglect, but it is also possible for pneumonia to be unrelated to an elderly patient’s care.
Pneumonia is one of the leading causes of death for seniors. In some cases, this dangerous inflammation of the lungs is simply a medical complication that becomes more common as patients age. However, in other cases, pneumonia is a preventable, treatable condition that comes about due to poor nursing care. If the condition isn’t diagnosed early and treated aggressively, it can be fatal. If nursing home residents are malnourished, dehydrated, or mistreated, their chances of developing pneumonia go up considerably.
If you are seeking compensation for Texas nursing home negligence related to a loved one’s pneumonia, it is vital to connect the health condition with your loved one’s care. To speak with a Dallas nursing home neglect attorney about your case, call the Rasansky | McKenzie Law today to schedule a private, no-obligation meeting with a knowledgeable, experienced lawyer.
Is it normal to have bedsores in a nursing home?
Truck “no zones” are the blind spots surrounding an 18-wheeler or commercial truck which other cars should avoid due to the increased risk of an 18-wheeler accident.
- The first no zone is located directly behind the tractor-trailer; an area where a truck driver cannot see you and where you are at risk of slamming into the back of the truck if it stops suddenly.
- The second no zone is located directly in front of an 18-wheeler. Since trucks cannot stop suddenly due to their size and weight, they must maintain a considerable following distance in order to avoid rear-end accidents.
- The final two no zones extend backward and diagonally from the left and right sides of the cab.
Is sepsis in a nursing home normal or should I be concerned?
Sepsis is an immune reaction to a bacterial infection of the blood stream that, if untreated, can become fatal. The elderly are especially vulnerable to sepsis, particularly those who have pre-existing medical conditions or weakened immune systems. Because sepsis is such a risk for the elderly, Texas nursing homes must take proper precautions to protect their residents from the dangerous infection.
Patients who are bed ridden, have diabetes, or have compromised immune systems are especially vulnerable to sepsis. So, extra care must be taken to protect hygiene, prevent pressure sores, keep wounds covered and clean, and to make sure that intravenous lines and catheters are properly maintained. Any wound that is neglected can become infected, and any infection can develop into sepsis.
Symptoms of sepsis:
- Fever
- Chills
- Irregular body temperature
- Skin rash
- Shaking
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Aches and pains
- Confusion
- Difficulty breathing
- Seizures
- Rapid heart rate
- Drop in blood pressure
- Respiratory failure
- Loss of organ function
- Septic shock
Sepsis must be treated with antibiotics. Most patients will require hospital care. Patients with severe sepsis may require surgery to drain the infection.
Sepsis can be the result of Texas nursing home neglect or abuse. If you suspect that neglect or abuse is responsible for your grandmother’s sepsis, we urge you to contact a Dallas nursing home abuse lawyer. Your grandmother may have a nursing home abuse case. For more information about how to identify Texas nursing home neglect, request a free copy of attorney Jeff Rasansky’s book, Warning Signs of Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse or contact the Rasansky | McKenzie Law at (214) 651-6100.
Is it normal for a nursing home to use restraints?
There are federal laws that bar nursing homes from using physical restraints unless there is a medical need to do so. However, some nursing homes use restraints in illegal ways; for example, to stop residents from being a nuisance or from wandering from their rooms.
Physical restraints such as straps, belts, vests, bed rails, vests, restraining chairs, and cuffs are sometimes needed to prevent a patient from harming themselves or others. For example, a resident prone to falls may need to be restrained during portions of the day to prevent serious accidents. Many believe, though, that restraints are overused especially in crowded or understaffed nursing homes in order to subdue and control patients.
The improper and illegal use of restraints in Texas nursing homes can lead to a number of complications, such as bedsores, constipation, malnutrition, loss of mobility, isolation, and mental anguish.
If you believe that your elder loved one has been harmed due to the illegal use of physical restraints in his or her nursing home, contact a Dallas nursing home abuse attorney today and share your story. Taking action will lead to justice for your loved on and prevent similar incidents from happening to others.
Where do I report nursing home abuse?
If you have uncovered physical signs of abuse or neglect then it is time to take action. A nursing home that knows of and tolerates abuse cannot be reasoned with or trusted. You have four options. One, you can approach the nursing home administrator. Two, you can contact the state department that handles nursing homes and file a complaint. Three, you can contact the police department. Four, you can contact a nursing home abuse lawyer and explain what happened. The fourth option is the most advisable, because if you work through a lawyer, you may be able to claim some compensation for medical bills, nursing home transfer and pain and suffering.
What do I do if I suspect a nursing home is overmedicating my parent?
You are right to be concerned. Sudden changes in personality are usually a sign that something is wrong, and our Dallas nursing home abuse attorneys urge you to take action on all cases of elder abuse.
Your first step is to designate a notebook in which you will record the date, observations about your mother, the names of anyone you speak with about her condition, their contact information, and any notes about your conversations. This information will help you get accountability if you find your mother is being overmedicated.
Before taking further action, talk to the nurse that takes care of your mother. Ask if there have been any changes in your mother’s habits or daily routines. Has her diet changed? Is she eating less? Is she drinking enough fluids? Have her toilet habits changed? Is she having mobility problems? If there have been dramatic changes, ask if she has seen a doctor. If not, make an appointment.
Next, speak to the nursing supervisor at the nursing home. Ask if there have been any changes in your mother’s health. Ask whether she is taking any new medications and if an “as needed” medication has been administered. If it has, find out why. Ask that in the future you be notified about any health changes that result in a change of medication. Ask for a copy of your mother’s medical records.
Talk to your mother’s doctor about your concerns. Your mother may simply need her medications adjusted.
On the other hand, it is possible that your mother may have been given medication as a chemical restraint. Chemical restraints refer to any drug given for the purpose of controlling behavior. These drugs are also known as “psychopharmacologic agents,” “psychotropic drugs,” or “therapeutic restraints” and include Midazolam, Diazepam, and Haloperidol. The drugs are meant to be used in emergency and psychiatric situations in order to calm disruptive patients who pose a danger to themselves or others. Unfortunately, many nursing homes use chemical restraints to restrict the movement of a patient or to sedate the patient in order to ease the staff workload or to compensate for understaffing. This is a dangerous practice. Psychotrophic drugs can have dangerous side effects. The FDA estimates that nearly 15,000 elderly adults die each year from the unnecessary use of chemical restraints.
You can read more about the use of chemical restraints in our article, “nursing home overmedication,” or request a free copy of our report titled Warning Signs of Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse.
If you believe your mother is being given chemical restraints, you should consult with a Dallas elder abuse lawyer. We can help you take the next steps. Please call the Rasansky | McKenzie Law at (214) 651-6100.
What do I do if I suspect a nursing home is undermedicating my parent?
While over-medication is a serious problem in Texas nursing homes, under-medication and improper pain management is also an issue when it comes to nursing home neglect.
Unfortunately, millions of Americans are not properly treated for pain, and many of these people are seniors in nursing homes and assisted-living facilities. There are a number of reasons why your elder loved one may not be receiving the correct amount of pain medication:
- Your elder loved one is not able to communicate their pain due to dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, or another health issue.
- Your elder loved one is not aware that their pain should be better managed or has not reached out for help.
- The nursing home is not giving your elder loved one the medication he or she has been prescribed – either due to poor medication distribution or staff members stealing medication.
- The nursing home is neglecting to listen to your loved ones complaints and concerns about pain.
If you believe your elder loved one’s nursing home has been negligent in treating residents’ pain, you may wish to speak with a Dallas nursing home neglect lawyer. Call Rasansky | McKenzie Law today to schedule an appointment and get more information.
Can I sue a nursing home if my parent was harmed by another resident?
As nursing homes take in an increasing number of mentally ill and younger patients, the instances of resident assaults has risen significantly. Who is at fault for these physical and sexual assaults?
While nursing home abuse and neglect cases are all different, nursing homes can sometimes be liable for one resident harming another resident. If the nursing home did not provide proper patient supervision, if a nursing home knew of a resident’s aggressive behavior, or if a nursing home did not make a responsible effort to keep their residents safe, they could be found negligent for a resident assault or injury.
The best and fastest way to ascertain whether or not your loved one was a victim of nursing home neglect is to speak with a Dallas nursing home abuse attorney today about the specifics of your claim.
What is emotional nursing home abuse?
Although emotional abuse is certainly not as overtly harmful as physical nursing home abuse or neglect, psychological abuse is a growing problem in Texas nursing homes and can lead to your elderly loved one suffering from low self-esteem, lowered quality of life, anxiety, and depression. In addition, emotional abuse in nursing homes often goes hand in hand with neglect and physical abuse. Emotional abuse can take on many forms, including verbal abuse, humiliation, intimidation, threats, harassment, erratic behavior, and deprivation. Many fear that the instances of elder emotional abuse will increase as funding is cut in many nursing homes and staff members become increasingly stressed and overworked.
What is considered financial abuse of a nursing home resident?
While many people are familiar with nursing home physical abuse and neglect, fewer people are familiar with financial elder abuse. Unfortunately, Texas nursing home residents are susceptible to financial scams and schemes – schemes often run by nursing home staff members or the nursing homes themselves. In these scams, nurses, staffers, or other officials could convince nursing home residents to pay too much, change their wills, or make poor investments. If you have an elder in a Texas adult care facility, be on the lookout for the red flags of financial fraud, which may take place in tandem with emotional abuse or manipulation.
What rights do nursing home residents have?
The Nursing Home Reform Act of 1987 clearly defined the rights of nursing home patients. Elderly patients deserve the right to freedom from abuse and neglect. Specifically, this includes freedom from physical restraints, consistent invasion of privacy, medical neglect, undignified handling by a staff member, abuse of the patient’s funds, unauthorized altering of a healthcare plan and discrimination or reprisal for voicing grievances.
Could understaffing be the cause of nursing home neglect?
Studies have found a strong connection between understaffed nursing homes and instances of nursing home neglect – and the connection makes sense.
If an adult care facility does not have enough direct care professionals caring for residents, each resident is receiving less attention than he or she requires. The results can be devastating:
- A neglected nursing home resident often misses her medication because staff members do not have time to finish the rounds.
- A bedbound nursing home resident develops dangerous and painful bedsore because they are not turned often enough in bed.
- A nursing home resident choked on their food because they are not being monitored while they eat.
- A nursing home resident suffers in their own filth for hours at a time since staff members do not have time to take them to the bathroom or change their bedding.
- A nursing home resident is given the wrong medicine by an overworked and rushing staff member.
- A nursing home resident is routinely verbally and physically abused by staffers who are overstressed and overworked.
Nursing homes suffer from staffing issues for a number of reasons – and many will try to boost their number by including cooks and maids as staff members. If you believe that your loved one was harmed by staff shortages and Texas nursing home neglect, speak with a Dallas abuse and neglect attorney today about your case.
Should a patient with dementia be given antipsychotic drugs?
Although there is some evidence that antipsychotic drugs can help treat a select number of seniors suffering from dementia, many medical experts and advocates for the elderly believe that antipsychotic drugs are woefully overprescribed to treat age-related neurological issues and that many seniors would benefit from alternative treatments.
Some reports state that thousands of seniors die because of their antipsychotic drug prescriptions each year and that hundreds of thousands are wrongly placed on these drugs in nursing homes around the country. Although antipsychotic drugs can curb behavioral problems in patients, such as aggression, outbursts, and sleep disturbances, they also come at a high price. According to a black box warning recently placed on these drugs, they can cause serious complications – including stroke and death – in elderly patients with dementia.
Doctors are also concerned that nursing homes are using antipsychotic drugs as a way to overmedicate patients and keep them under control by keeping them in a subdued state.
Do you believe that your elder loved one has been overmedicated with antipsychotic drugs – and that this form of nursing home neglect caused your loved one harm? If so, speak with a caretaker abuse attorney today. Overmedication is unacceptable.
What is nursing home elopement?
Nursing home elopement occurs when an adult-care facility resident wanders either from their rooms or from the grounds without permission or assistance. Nursing home elopement can be common among nursing home patients who suffer from dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, other memory problems or mental health issues.
Elopement can be dangerous, as the confused elderly can easily fall, become the victim of a pedestrian accident, or even suffer from exposure. Many nursing homes guard against elopement and wandering with door alarms and well-trained staff. An elopement case that ends in serious injury or wrongful death can lead to a nursing home neglect lawsuit.
Read more on nursing home elopement.
What is a "silver alert?"
In 2007, Texas passed a law that allows the Texas Department of Public Safety to announce missing person bulletins in emergency cases for seniors and those suffering from dementia and Alzheimer’s. Much like the Amber Alert, which informs the media and law enforcement about child abductions, silver alerts create public awareness for people over 65 who are reported missing and who could be in immediate danger. The creation of a silver alert took place after a number of Texas senior citizens and nursing home residents eloped from their homes and wandered from their property and their caregivers.