For families with an elderly loved one who needs care, nursing homes provide one option for providing adequate levels of support. Nursing homes are supposed to be safe environments where residents can get additional 24/7 care and medical attention their families may not be able to provide. However, for many families the decision is a difficult one.
It is especially difficult to make that decision when families worry about Hollywood nursing home abuse and negligence. Unfortunately, their worries are not unfounded. Some residents do suffer subpar care, abuse, or dangerous levels of neglect which can impact safety and dignity. When a nursing home is needed to provide levels of care not feasible with family caretakers, there are a few ways to select a care environment to reduce the risk of nursing home negligence: