The U.S. Census Bureau that Americans over the age of 65 have increased to over 56 million recently, with a jump to an estimated 73 million by the year 2030. With this significant increase in the older segment of our population, so has the demand for elderly residential care.
At a qualified nursing home facility, caregivers and management work hard to ensure all of their residents’ needs are met so they can thrive. But unfortunately, some fail to provide even the basic standard of care. That is why you must do your homework to find the right facility.
If you are looking for an Ohio nursing home for your loved one and are unsure where to start, read through these tips on finding quality care. If you would like additional information on how to choose a nursing home or feel a loved one was a victim. Contact a nursing home abuse lawyer at Slater & Zurz.
Call (888) 534-4850 today to arrange a FREE consultation with one of our compassionate nursing home abuse lawyers in Ohio.
What is the Difference Between a Nursing Home, Assisted Living, and a Residential Facility?
The first step in choosing the right care for your loved one is determining what type of facility best fits their needs. There are three types of elderly care facilities; nursing homes, assisted living and residential care.
Nursing Homes
Nursing homes also called “skilled nursing facilities,” provide a wide range of personal care and health services. According to the National Institute on Aging, these facilities provide much more medical care than assisted living and residential care facilities. In addition to providing three meals a day, assistance with daily tasks, and 24-hour supervision, they also offer nursing and medical care, including:
- Medication reminders or administration
- Wound care
- Nutrition therapy
- Access to nurses and doctors
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Speech therapy
- 24-hour emergency care
- Specialized therapy
Assisted Living
Assisted living facilities are for those who need help with their daily care but don’t require as much assistance that a nursing home provides. Assisted living facilities typically offer a few levels of care, depending on the resident’s needs.
Individuals usually live in their own apartments but share common areas with other residents. Residents have access to many activities, including group outings, community events, and games and entertainment. They also have access to services, such as three meals daily, personal care help, medication reminders or administration, housekeeping, and 24-hour supervision.
Residential Care
Also referred to as “group homes,” These facilities are small and private. They typically house only a small group of residents, around 20 or fewer. Depending on their size and the number of residents, rooms can be shared or private.
Residential care typically does not provide nursing or medical care; however, they do offer meals, personal care assistance, housekeeping, and around-the-clock staffing.
The Rights of Ohio Nursing Home Residents
In Ohio, nursing home residents are afforded certain rights. Ohio Revised Code 3721.13 states that residents have the right to:
- A safe and clean living environment
- Be free from mental, emotional, verbal, and physical abuse
- Adequate and appropriate medical care
- Have all reasonable requests and inquiries addressed promptly
- The name and specialty of all healthcare providers responsible for the resident’s care
- Participate in decisions regarding their care
- Withhold payment for any care they did not receive
- Confidentiality of personal and medical records
- Privacy during medical exams and treatment
- Refuse care
- Be free from chemical and physical restraints unless the minimum amount is needed to keep themselves and others safe.
- Exercise their civil rights
- Fall asleep or awaken at their desired time
- Receive and send unopened mail
- Access to a phone and have private conversations
- Private visits at any reasonable hour
- Retain and use personal clothing and property
- Have their doors closed and have then not opened without knocking (except in an emergency)
- Be informed of the basic charges and services offered by the facility
- Be free from financial exploitation
- Manage their own personal financial affairs
Tips for Choosing the Right Ohio Nursing Home
Although it is a highly important decision, choosing a nursing home for your family member doesn’t have to be daunting. Just be sure to keep the following tips in mind when making choosing the right skilled nursing facility:
- What type of facility is best for your loved one? Whether you choose a nursing home, assisted living facility or residential facility will ultimately come down to the level of care your family member requires.
- Ask your friends and family. They may have personal experience with a facility or know of others who have had either a positive or negative experience with a certain nursing home. Their feedback can help you determine which ones to look into further and which to steer clear of.
- Search nursing homes online. You can assess their online reviews and learn whether they have had disciplinary action taken toward the facility.
- Look at a map. It is best for you and your loved one that you choose a facility in close proximity to your or other family members’ homes. Being close will ensure you maintain a close relationship with your loved one and alert you to any signs of nursing home abuse or neglect.
- Call different nursing homes. Be sure to ask what their rates are and whether they have any availability. Learning whether they are too expensive or don’t have availability upfront will help you quickly narrow your search.
- Visit each potential nursing home. Visiting each facility and talking to the caregivers and other residents, looking at the condition of the facility, and seeing what each facility has to offer will help you determine whether the facility is a possibility.
You can quickly and confidently take the facility off your list
if staff members seem unwilling to take the time to talk to you, residents seem unhappy or unkept, or the facility itself seems unsanitary or unsafe.
- Carefully read your contract. Once you have tentatively chosen a nursing home, be sure to read over the contract thoroughly. Before signing, don’t hesitate to address any concerns or questions with the facility manager. We also strongly encourage you to have an Ohio nursing home lawyer read over the document to ensure it is fair and valid.
Contact Our Ohio Nursing Home Attorneys for More Information
Our Ohio nursing home abuse lawyers understand the pressure you might feel, knowing your loved one’s health and well-being are in your hands. This is no small decision, as your choice can either give them with the care and compassion they need or place them in a harmful environment that can sadly lead to nursing home abuse or neglect.
We know you don’t take this decision lightly, and we want you to know we are here for you and your loved one. If you need guidance in choosing a suitable nursing home facility or feel your loved one has experienced nursing home abuse or neglect, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
Call Slater & Zurz today to arrange a FREE, no-obligation consultation with one of our dedicated nursing home abuse lawyers. We are here to take your call anytime, day or night, and have offices across Ohio, including Akron, Canton, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, and Toledo, to serve you.
