When one of your loved ones enters into residential care for the elderly, it’s likely that you want to do everything you can to ensure they’re safe, happy and healthy. Thankfully, this guide aims to help you do just that. Here are some of the most effective steps that you can follow to protect an elderly relative in residential care.
Choose A Reputable Facility
First and foremost, it’s vital that you can take the time to choose the most reputable facility for them to reside in if you want to stand any chance of protecting them long term. Unfortunately, cases of elder abuse in residential facilities are higher than you might expect, and there are dedicated ombudsmen who exist just to represent victims of such cases. Understanding what is an ombudsman can help you to make the most informed decision when choosing a residential home, as you might be able to find published reports or statistics that suggest which homes are better than others (or which homes have a higher report rate). Take the opportunity to visit any residential facility before you allow your elderly relative to move in, as you need to see for yourself what the facilities are really like. If a resident starts chatting with you, then don’t be afraid to ask them if they like living there.
Visit Them On A Regular Basis
Visiting your elderly relatives on a regular basis will allow you to check up on them and monitor their mental and physical state. You’ll be able to recognize a deterioration in either their body or mind when you visit often, and this is a surefire sign that something is wrong with the care they are being given. If you visit frequently then you’re also likely to catch how they’re treating your relative, and you can see for yourself whether the respect and care is present as it should be. Take the time to ask your loved one about their recent experiences too, as they might be able to give some insight into their time at their residential facility.
Don’t Be Afraid To Take Things Further If You Spot Signs Of Abuse
It’s absolutely vital that you must never be afraid to take things further if you spot even a single potential sign of abuse when you visit your elderly loved one. Something such as a scratch, a bruise, uncleanliness (greasy hair, unclipped nails), lacking access to water and food are all signs of abuse. Your loved one needs to be well looked after, as well as being treated with dignity. If this isn’t happening, you have to step in. It’s not always easy to find real evidence of abuse, so you may want to take matters into your own hands. Purchasing some kind of babysitter camera that’s out of sight may be an option if you think something is seriously wrong, as this way you can monitor your elderly loved one and check they are safe. You can also capture any abuse on video to use as evidence when reporting this to the authorities.