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What you can do to protect your elderly loved ones from Traumatic Brain Injury caused by nursing home neglect.
Nursing home neglect is one of the primary causes of traumatic brain injury(TBI) in the elderly. One of the most difficult parts of handling TBI cases is seeing the way in which some nursing facilities treat elderly individuals. At a time when they are owed the most respect, senior citizens are sometimes neglected by thoughtless and underpaid caregivers.
By the time families discover the abuse, it is often too late. Elderly relatives come away with damaged self-esteem and serious physical ailments. The elderly are prone to head injuries from falls and other hazards. Some families only find out about abuse after a loved one dies at the hands of a negligent caregiver.
Nursing home neglect is one of the leading causes of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the elderly. You can protect your elderly loved ones by being aware of the circumstances that could lead to such an injury. Some head injuries happen because of improper bed rails, wet floors, or even overmedication. Facilities can fail to supervise those who are weakened by disease or dementia properly, leading to disastrous consequences.
Your choice of a nursing home depends on many factors. While cost is strong deciding factor, don’t let it take precedence over quality care. Medicare will cover a percentage of the costs for a short-term facility, but it does not pay for long term living in a nursing home. Medicaid pays a percentage for long-term care, but has restrictions, so some financial planning is necessary.
Meet with a financial planner and perform a thorough financial review and plan for the nursing expense. A financial planner will help figure out how to make your loved one’s assets cover the kind of care that they need.
If your loved one is mentally able, include him or her in the process of choosing a nursing care facility. Make a checklist of what he or she wants in a care facility. Speak with residents and staff at the nursing home, and ask to sit in for a meal or scheduled event with your loved one. This will be a new home; make sure that it’s a place where your loved one will feel comfortable.
Be vigilant for signs of neglect as you tour the facility. Nursing care facilities will attempt to hide these things from visitors and potential clients, but a strong awareness of what to look for will clue you in to what’s really going on. Look for patients with urine or fecal odors, neglected personal hygiene or dirty clothing. Look at the rooms carefully for safety issues and signs of neglect like broken furniture, a lack of bed rails or neglected housekeeping.
If your loved one has suffered a serious brain injury at the hands of a neglectful caregiver, contact our office for a free consultation and case evaluation. We will help you find justice and the respect your elderly relative deserves.
