With aging comes many difficult decisions regarding the care and comfort of your older relatives. After being a responsible and independent adult for decades, it’s understandable that your parents or grandparents will resist being told they can no longer drive a car, manage their own affairs, or care for themselves. However, it’s necessary for their well-being, even if it may not seem like it to a proud and stubborn father who wants to go it alone.

If you choose to place your loved one in a residential facility, it’s important that you remain an active participant in their care; this isn’t just good for their mental health and your continued relationship, but to prevent serious forms of abuse like neglect and assault. While statistics regarding nursing home abuse vary, it’s estimated that over 50% of nursing staff have acted abusively toward their charges on at least one occasion – and the true number may be much higher. With that in mind, this article will discuss how to remain active in your loved one’s care during their time in a nursing home, as well as who to reach out to for help should you suspect abuse.

Visit frequently and build relationships with the staff

Just as with most things in life, the way to get the best outcome is to show up regularly and put on a smile. If at all possible, try to visit the nursing home at least once a week, if not more; when you can’t come in person, make sure to call or video chat with your loved one as much as you can, as this will help you monitor their health and identify any emerging problems.

You should try to stagger your visits across different nursing shifts within visiting hours, as this will help you get to know the names and faces of all the personnel who will be caring for your relative. Make an effort to get to know them on a first-name basis, and don’t hesitate to ask them for updates on your parent or grandparent’s condition, including changes in medications or therapeutic regimens. 

Attend care plan meetings and ensure that your loved one’s needs are being honored

Nursing homes that work with Medicare are required by the federal government to submit care plans for their patients, which describe their condition and discuss how to ensure their continued wellness. You can request to be present at these meetings and, while it’s not expected that you will understand everything they’re discussing, you should ask questions and seek more information about how your loved one is faring. This will also give you an opportunity to share any preferences for treatment that your relative may have shared with you, such as having negative side effects with a certain medication that they may not have discussed with the staff. Together, you’ll be able to create a comprehensive treatment plan that honors the resident’s individuality and ensures the best care possible for them.

Know your loved one’s rights, as well as the resources you can contact should you suspect abuse

Every nursing home will have a list of patient rights that guides their work with those under their care; great facilities will have these patient rights posted in highly visible areas for both residents and visitors to see, as this can help to hold the staff accountable. However, even if they do not have signs or posters up with this list, you should be able to request a copy for your own records. This will describe what a resident can demand from the facility, including being treated with respect and having the ability to participate in daily life. 

The patient’s right sheet will give you a roadmap of things to monitor when it comes to neglect or abuse, such as your loved one being denied the ability to visit with family or having excessive force used against them. It will also help you know what to document if you begin to suspect abuse, as being able to match an incident to an obvious rights violation can help strengthen your case if you decide to pursue legal action.

As soon as you suspect abuse in an Illinois nursing home, you should immediately reach out to a Chicago nursing home abuse lawyer, who can take a look at your evidence and advise you on next steps. They can help you get in contact with other interested authorities, such as licensing and accreditation boards, as well as file a complaint against the facility on your behalf. They’ll explain the process from start to finish for you, and they’ll also work hard to minimize the stress incurred by your family during this process, which is crucial to your elderly relative’s continued well-being.

No one wants their loved ones to suffer in any capacity, but it is often hardest to see our parents or grandparents – those we have looked up to for help throughout our lives – being harmed or neglected. They have always protected you, so it’s essential that you return the favor by staying active in their care and advocating for them at every turn throughout their time in a nursing home, which includes being willing to take legal action to protect them. It’s difficult, but any amount of effort is worth it to care for the ones we love.