Is Resident-on-Resident Abuse an Issue in Nursing Homes?
When people hear about nursing home abuse, they usually think about staff taking advantage of their residents. Families that place their loved ones in nursing homes are usually keeping an eye out for their loved one and making sure that they’re being cared for and they’re enjoying their home. What people may not think about is other residents.
Resident-on-resident abuse is an issue in many nursing homes. Unfortunately, this phenomenon is understudied so there isn’t a lot of data reporting cases of resident-on-resident nursing home abuse. If you think your loved one has been a victim or nursing home abuse, you can seek legal aid. A Wisconsin nursing home abuse lawyer from Urban & Taylor can help get your loved one justice.
Elderly Adults at Higher Risk for Adverse Drug Side Effects
Whenever you’re taking medication, there’s a chance of experiencing side effects. Seniors are at a higher risk of having side effects from their medications. Medical professionals need to listen to their patients and help them balance their medications so they can treat their conditions but not suffer from extreme side effects.
In elderly adults, side effects from medications can affect their overall health. For those who live in nursing homes, they need quality care and attention to ensure their safety and they’re getting the best medication possible. Unfortunately, this might not always be the case. If you think your loved one is suffering from nursing home neglect or abuse, you can stand up for their rights. The Milwaukee nursing home abuse lawyers at Urban & Taylor will help you get your loved one the justice they deserve.
The Common Challenges of Preventing Elder Abuse
When you send your loved one to live in a nursing home, you expect the staff to take excellent care of them and help your loved one maintain their well-being. Sometimes, the people you trust aren’t doing this job. Abuse can be intentional or accidental, but even if it’s accidental, that doesn’t excuse them from abusing your loved one.
Abuse might be more common than you’d think. The National Ombudsman Reporting System (NORS) advocates for the rights of those in long term care facilities. In 2014, they reported about 14,258 complaints regarding abuse and neglect. This kind of abuse can have severe effects in all aspects of your loved one’s life:
Examining Nursing Home Resident Rights in Wisconsin
All nursing home and long term care facility residents have federal and state legal rights in Wisconsin. These rights exist to protect residents and their family members and ensure that facilities treat residents fairly. If you have a loved one in a facility and their resident rights are ever violated, you can take legal action against the facility on behalf of your loved one as well as relocate your family member to a safer environment.
If you have an elderly loved one in a nursing home in the Milwaukee area or anywhere in our state, it’s important to understand the following Wisconsin nursing home resident rights and keep an eye out for any type of mistreatment or conduct that may violate these rights:
How to Pick a Safe Nursing Home for Your Loved One
When someone you love is no longer able to safely live on their own, trusting their care to strangers is not easy. Choosing the right nursing home facility is an overwhelming decision. When visiting potential nursing homes, there are a few things you should look for.
First, how does the food look and taste? The look and taste of food is especially important for elderly people as sensory sensitivity often diminishes with age. Dining in the nursing home cafeteria with your loved one is a great way to see what and how well they might eat there.