Protecting Nursing Home Residents

Entrusting the medical care of a loved one to a nursing home is a difficult decision made even more difficult by the fact that many homes provide substandard and inappropriate care for their residents.

Indiana has over 550 nursing homes, containing over 57,000 beds, which are overseen by the Indiana Department of Health. Unfortunately, 7 percent of the homes were cited for violations that placed the residents in "Immediate Jeopardy," and 11 percent of the homes were guilty of violations amounting to substandard care.

In many instances, nursing homes are employing inadequate, improperly trained, low-cost nurses in order to increase profits. This often leads to the following problems:

  • Malnutrition
  • Dehydration
  • Bedsores, ulcers, rashes
  • Untreated medical conditions
  • Frequent infections
  • Unnecessary restraints and "calming" medication
  • Falls leading to broken hips, arms, etc.
  • Social isolation

The following are a few suggestions that may help avoid a serious or life-threatening situation.

1. Federal law requires that each resident have a "Plan of Care," which contains the significant aspects of the medical care intended to be provided for the resident. Obtain a copy of the plan and refer to it when visiting the resident to make certain it is being followed. Ask the nursing director if the nurse taking care of the resident has seen the plan and knows what is expected of him/her.

2. Make certain that you regularly visit your loved one. Observe how much attention is being paid to the resident. Check to see that the nurse responds in a timely fashion to the call button.

3. Time your visits with meals to see how the resident is eating. Observe whether the resident is receiving assistance with the meals, if necessary. Poor eating can lead to malnutrition and dehydration. Do not hesitate to complain to the nursing director or the administrator about your observations.

4. Make sure there are no signs of infection or skin breakdown. It is essential that these problems be treated appropriately and in a timely way.

Please contact us online or call Theodoros & Rooth, P.C., at (219) 769-6393 or 1-800-873-0889 if you have any questions about the current care or cause of death of a nursing home resident.