Choosing A Nursing Home In Georgia
Experienced attorneys who are ready to help
Nursing home residents have the right to be treated with respect and dignity. They should receive proper medical care and be provided with living arrangements that are secure and comfortable. When residents are subjected to abuse or neglect, they deserve justice. Kurle Justus, LLC fights for their rights.
As nursing home abuse and neglect attorneys, we understand the concerns families have when looking for the right facility for their loved ones. You want to find a place where your loved one will be safe and their needs will be met. Here are a few suggestions when searching for a nursing home facility in Georgia.
Research facilities in your area.
Use Eldercare Locator, contact your local agency on aging or senior center, and ask family and friends to find nursing homes in your community. You can research these facilities on the Medicare site. You can also contact Georgia’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman and State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) for more information. Also, search online reviews to read about people’s personal experiences with the facilities.
Visit facilities you are interested in.
Call and make an appointment to visit. As you tour the facility, take note of certain things. Do staff members seem well-rested, or exhausted? Are appropriate dressed and well-groomed? Are walkways clear without any tripping or slipping hazards? Are there any strange odors? Also, take note of the behavior of residents and how they interact with staff members. Consider making a second visit at a different time of day.
Ask questions.
Schedule a meeting with the facility administrator. It may help to have a list of questions to ask for your meeting. For example, you can ask about services, charges and fees. Ask about the security of the facility. You may want to know if a loved one can see their own doctor or if the facility has an arrangement with a local hospital. Also ask what steps are taken to prevent residents from abuse, neglect, mistreatment and exploitation.
Ask to attend a resident or family group meeting.
These groups are organized by residents or their families to discuss concerns and ways to improve the quality of care. It’s a way to learn about what changes have been made at the facility in the past and what changes are being sought currently. You can also get feedback from other families on whether the facility seems receptive to concerns raised by residents.
Even after you choose a facility, it’s important to stay involved with your loved one’s care. Visit as often as you are able to. Try to visit at different times when there are other staff members on duty. Attend all treatment meetings and ask questions about anything that doesn’t seem clear.
What to do if you suspect abuse or neglect
It’s very common for residents who are being abused or neglected to keep quiet about what’s been happening. You know your loved one and when something seems wrong. Don’t ignore those feelings. Also be aware of warning signs, including:
- Unexplained serious injuries such as a fractured hip or broken arm.
- Unexplained bruising on the arms, body or face.
- Sudden and noticeable weight loss.
- Sudden changes in mood – for example, becoming depressed or withdrawn.
- Unexplained infections or other health issues.
- Changes in your loved one’s finances.
- Restricted visiting policies at the facility for unclear reasons.
If you suspect abuse or neglect, seek medical care for your loved one to check on their health. Notify the nursing home about your concerns. If you think a loved one was the victim of violence, contact the police.
It’s also important to talk to an experienced nursing home abuse and neglect attorney about your concerns. Our lawyers have been fighting for the rights of nursing home residents in Decatur and throughout Georgia since our founding in 2004.
We can discuss your loved one’s situation and review medical records. Our firm knows to investigate abuse and neglect to get the facts. We review inspection reports and hiring records and also talk to witnesses. As needed, we consult medical experts. Our main concern is ensuring that your loved one is safe and receiving all needed medical care.
Then, we can take legal action to recover compensation for all of the damages you and your loved one have suffered. These may include current and future medical expenses, as well as other damages such as pain and suffering. We can negotiate with the insurance company and if necessary, fight for your loved one in court.
We are ready to be your family’s voice for justice. Learn more about how we can help. Contact us to schedule a free case evaluation.