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Tag: care

Nursing Home Guidelines for Care: Is it Negligence?

Written by kwmlaw on . Posted in Kelly & West News.

Nursing homes are hitting the news this year, including a case of abuse here in Lillington. As people read about this and as our population ages, more people are asking about long-term care facilities. According to the CDC, more than 4 million Americans are admitted to or reside in nursing homes and skilled nursing facilities each year. Nearly one million people live in assisted living facilities.

Questions often lead to more questions: after all, what is a nursing home compared to another type of facility? We’ve talked about the signs of nursing home abuse and also what you can do about it. But if you’re caring for your parents or loved ones, you should also know more about the laws for nursing homes versus other types of care facilities.

What is a Nursing Home?

There are many types of long-term care facilities. Here are some definitions, according to the National Institutes of Health.

● Board and Care Homes – Also called residential care facilities or group homes, these are small private facilities. Most have 20 or fewer residents, who receive personal care and meals, but no medical or nursing care.
● Assisted Living – This type of home is for those who need a bit more help, but not full care. Many offer different levels of care. Residents here usually live in their own apartments or rooms. Assisted living homes offer meals, assistance with personal care, help with medications, housekeeping, and laundry. They also offer supervision and social and recreational activities.
● Nursing Homes – A nursing home or skilled nursing facility provides a broad range of health and care services, with a strong focus on medical care. They may also offer physical or occupational rehabilitation or speech therapy. Some people live in a nursing home for a time after a hospitalization, getting extra care, but then go home. Other residents are permanent, requiring daily help and supervision.
● Continuing Care Retirement Communities – You might hear these called life care communities. These homes are a type of assisted living, with independent apartments for most residents, social activities, and some help when needed. Most CCRCs have a nursing home on site for those who need to move later in life.

Nursing Home Care
Photo by Matthias Zomer from Pexels

Some Nursing Home Guidelines

One thing to know about nursing homes, in particular, is that they are not allowed to discharge people except in limited circumstances. Nursing homes are also expected to maintain a standard of health care. Breaching these care guidelines can be considered negligence — something you can take legal action against if it occurs.

If you suspect abuse at a Lillington nursing home or Harnett County nursing home, contact us for help.

Elder Care: How to Manage Care for Your Parent

Written by kwmlaw on . Posted in Kelly & West News.

Are your parents or an elderly loved one refusing personal care and assisted living? Is it hard for your family to give them the help they need? Here is some advice on how to put an unwilling parent or relative at ease.

Before pushing your parent or relative to give up their independence, you must understand what you’re asking of them. In their eyes, they can still handle anything! And remember, you are their child. Now you’re asking them to reverse roles and let you take care of them.

Here are some tips for managing this process:

  • Get ahead of the crisis. Start having conversations about caregivers and assisted living before health problems occur. Ask your parent how they would feel about a driver or a housekeeper. Ask about his/her plans for assisted living and other help should the need arise.
  • Be patient and ask deep questions. When asking questions, give him/her time to respond. The process may take many conversations to get any answers; do not get frustrated. Fully try to understand why your loved one is refusing care.
  • Provide options. Keep your loved one in the loop. You might include him or her in interviews for the housekeeper or let him/her choose when the home aid comes each week. Show your loved one that he/she still has some freedom and that you respect him/her.
  • Accept your limits and pick your battles. You cannot watch over your loved one all the time. If they are still safe do not discourage their behavior, even if it is irritating to you. Treat them like the adult they are. Dealing with a stubborn child is not the same as dealing with a stubborn parent.
  • Find an outside outlet for your feelings. If you are angry, sad, or frustrated that your parents won’t listen to you, vent to someone outside of the situation, not your parents.

As you try to take care of your loved one, be sure to take care of yourself. Do not let your frustration out on your elder family member. It is hard to change roles from child to parent, and it will take time for your elder to realize the change in roles, but be patient. Giving up one’s freedom is never easy, so try your best to understand their feelings.

Whether it is preparing a will, estate planning, or care agreements, Kelly and West can prepare the right documents. Allow the experienced attorneys at Kelly and West help you understand the ever-changing elder law.