Nursing homes are regulated by state and federal agencies. The West Virginia Department of Health Facilities (WV DHHR) and the Office of Health Facility Licensure and Certification (OHFLAC) are charged with enforcing state licensure rules. These agencies also align with rules set forth by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

One of the most important standards that these agencies put in place is for staffing ratios. Those ratios can have a direct impact on the risk of abuse for nursing home residents.

When you place your trust in a nursing home to care for your loved one, you expect that family member to be safe, well-cared for, and treated with dignity. Unfortunately, circumstances arise that in certain nursing homes that put the residents at risk for harm.

Maybe the facility is not clean, residents seem neglected, or you suspect abuse. If you’re worried about unsafe living conditions in a nursing home, you need to speak up. Reporting issues can protect your loved one and others experiencing the same problems.

Here is a look at how to report unsafe living conditions in a nursing home.

We, as a society, entrust nursing homes with the care of some of our most vulnerable individuals.

Unfortunately, not all facilities uphold their responsibility to provide a safe and respectful environment, and while the financial website WalletHub reports that West Virginia ranks ninth in the nation for elder abuse protections, these incidents still happen in the mountain state and must be addressed.

Proper hydration is vital to maintaining overall health and well-being regardless of age.

As we get older, our bodies lose some ability to retain water, leading to dehydration. For those in a nursing home, not receiving the proper hydration can lead to a variety of problems. Fortunately, if you spot these signs of dehydration in a nursing home early on, you can get the right help for your loved one.

Nursing homes are supposed to be safe, secure environments in which elderly and medically vulnerable individuals can receive the care they need. These are often the safest places for older patients, especially those living with dementia or Alzheimer’s. But can a person leave a nursing home? And if so, when is it safe to do so, and when is it not?

Key Points and Questions We’ll Cover in This Blog Include…

• What is elopement, and why is it dangerous?
• Who is most at risk for wandering and elopement?
• What can nursing homes do to protect patients from eloping?

Realizing your aging loved one requires a level of care beyond what you can manage at home is a challenging moment. But it creates an opportunity for you and your family members to work together to identify a place that meets the needs and enhances the quality of life of someone you love.

However, knowing your relative needs a good nursing home and knowing how to pick the right nursing home are two different matters. There are dozens of long-term skilled nursing facilities in Kanawha County alone—and sometimes the specialized care your family member needs can’t be found in your immediate proximity.

Are you or a loved one planning to move into a nursing home here in Charleston or elsewhere in West Virginia? Or do you already have a loved one that lives in an assisted living facility like this?

If so, it’s a good idea to learn about West Virginia nursing home resident rights. Being over-prepared and educated in case of any incidents will ensure you’ll know what caregivers and the facility can and cannot do so that you or a loved one can advocate for your rights if an adverse situation occurs.

The law office of DiPiero Simmons McGinley & Bastress, PLLC in Charleston, WV explores the laws regarding video cameras in nursing homes and how they affect cases of nursing home abuse or neglect. 

After learning more about care facility security camera regulations, please reach out to our office with any questions concerning your own case of nursing home abuse or neglect. We provide free case evaluations to empower families to make the best decisions for the care of an aging loved one.  

Did you entrust your loved one’s care to a nursing home only to later learn that staff members mistreated them? If so, the time to take action is now. Aside from helping your family member take legal action against their abuser, you should also take reasonable steps to report elder abuse in West Virginia.

Reporting instances of elder abuse to the proper authorities will not only protect your loved ones, but may also prevent further harm to other victims who do not have a trusted family member to advocate on their behalf. Alerting authorities to acts of elder abuse also helps minimize the chances of future nursing home residents suffering at the hands of an abusive caretaker.

People with diseases like Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia can be unpredictable in their moods, actions, and thoughts. The symptoms of dementia, like memory loss and trouble concentrating, can make it hard to reason with the person about their behavior because they might not remember acting out, or they might not see themselves as wrong. This unpredictable nature can lead to behavioral or safety issues if the patient is not properly monitored and supervised.

If your loved one is in a long-term facility, you should always pay attention to the care that they’re receiving. Unfortunately, nursing home abuse is a real possibility. Most patients with dementia require extra attention and care. Keep reading to find out what form negligence takes for nursing home patients with dementia so that you know what to look for in your loved one.