Those people who have or are about to make the decision to have a loved one housed in a retirement residence should pay special attention to several factors and red flags while they are visiting these places, since in recent years the problems within nursing homes have increased thanks to the lack of staff within them. However, this does not justify acts of abuse or neglect against those we love most, especially when we move them to these places so that they have a better quality of life and are better cared for.
The importance of paying attention to these details lies in the fact that there are times when our older adults can no longer communicate clearly or may have mental health problems that make it difficult for them to transmit information to us about what happens in their day-to-day life. so they may not be able to tell us if they are being abused by their caregivers or if there is something wrong with their new home. That is why it is up to us to be alert to situations such as:
- Menus and types of food and times in which they feed the elderly
- Cleanliness inside the establishment, bad odors and the hygiene of our loved ones
- Frequency with which medications are dispensed.
- Certifications that have the residence
- Number of specialized staff compared to the number of residents.
- Physical signs of abuse in those we visit
- Personal belongings and bank accounts with no unknown movements.
Taking this into account can make the difference between a dignified life and a charitable environment for seniors who have to move to one of these centers without having to suffer this change on a daily basis, which is already difficult enough.
When visiting or trying to choose a nursing home, always check as much as you can and ask as many questions as you can think of. Our older adults deserve to live in good conditions regardless of whether they are sick or not.
