Elder abuse is a growing problem in Texas and nationwide, according to the Texas Attorney General’s office. Unfortunately, many instances of abuse, neglect, or exploitation occur in nursing home settings. If you are seeking nursing home care for your loved one, there is much you can do to help prevent harm or mistreatment in the future. Start by asking for recommendations from your loved one’s doctors and nursing staff, or from trusted family and friends.
Plan a visit to the three or four facilities that are on the top of your list. Talk to the Administrator or the Director of Nursing about the nursing home’s track record. You can also call the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) at (800) 458-9858 to ask about a specific nursing home’s record on items like proposed license terminations, complaints, and quality of care violations.
During your visit to each facility, take note of how clean the facility looks, feels, and smells. Cleanliness can say a great deal about how well or badly a facility treats its residents. Observe whether the staff appears harried and overworked, as well as how they talk to and about the residents. Talk to some of the residents about their experiences; if they have negative comments or seem fearful or hesitant to share their experiences, the facility may not be right for your loved one.
Finally, ask about the facility’s most recent compliance report. They are required by law to provide copies to the public, and you can use the report to see what violations the facility has had recently, if any.
An experienced Dallas nursing home abuse lawyer from Crowe Arnold & Majors, LLP can help you understand these reports, especially if someone you love has been injured by negligent nursing home staff or caregivers. If your loved one has been harmed while in the care of a nursing home or assisted living facility, please do not hesitate to contact Crowe Arnold & Majors, LLP at (214) 231-0555.
