If you're anxious about admitting a loved one to long-term care there are steps to ensure their well-being.

Caring for parents and loved ones as they age is a common practice in most cultures. But for many families, a time comes when the toll of caregiving becomes too high and they are no longer able to do it alone. At that point, it is completely normal to consider moving a loved one into a nursing home or other type of assisted living facility. However, many caregivers are aware, and wary, of how often nursing home abuse and neglect occurs.

This knowledge can cause caregivers a good deal of distress and often leaves them feeling guilty over their decision. Nursing homes and other long-term care (LTC) facilities are meant to provide quality care and peace of mind, not concern for residents and their families. That is why it is so abhorrent when facilities break our trust and allow our loved ones to be abused or neglected.

To avoid harming their own health and well-being, caregivers, and those who support them, must also take care of themselves. That includes not having to endure guilt or stress about transitioning loved ones into long-term care. In fact, there are many ways to guarantee your loved one will be well cared for in your absence.

Alleviate caregiving guilt or anxieties by:

  1. Investigating all nursing homes and LTC facilities using this checklist. Visit any prospective facilities, speak with the staff and check for any violations before making a final decision.
  2. Enrolling your loved one in respite care for a short time if you’re not sure about a permanent transition. Respite care exists for caregivers who need time to recuperate and perhaps make other long-term care arrangements.
  3. Understanding that sometimes professional care is necessary for the safety or comfort of loved ones. And, it is OK for caregivers to have a life apart from their caregiving duties.
  4. Helping your loved one adjust to living in a nursing home or LTC facility. Identify meaningful activities and routines to make it easier for the both of you to adjust.
  5. Reporting any signs of abuse or neglect immediately. Visit loved ones regularly to confirm they are being treated well.

We hope that considering these options will help alleviate some of the anxiety associated with moving loved ones into assisted care. While nursing home abuse and neglect are common occurrences, the selection of a quality facility can have a huge impact on a resident’s experience.

In the event that you or a loved one has already suffered abuse or neglect after transitioning to a nursing home or assisted care facility, contact the experienced nursing home abuse and neglect attorneys at Hupy and Abraham today. Call 800-800-5678 or start a live chat with us anytime at Hupy.com.