An ongoing issue for our society. It is both shocking and detrimental for everyone involved.
Severe cases of abuse or neglect surface in the media. They shock our senses and tear our feelings.
Hearing of these reports are enough to effect us, but what about the victims and their families?
You reside your loved ones in care homes because they are vulnerable and need more specialist care then you can personally provide.
Your loved one maybe disabled or elderly. You expect them to be looked after and safe in nursing homes. You do not expect them to fall victim of negligence.
How to prevent Care Home Abuse or Neglect
The buck basically stops with the care home or nursing home. They have certain levels of standards that should be met at all times. These measures are in place to keep its residents safe.
The care quality commission www.cqc.org.uk provides these regulations.
The Care Quality Commission is the independent regulator of health and social care in England. Their job is to make sure adequate care is provided to everyone, whether it is in hospitals, care homes, nursing homes etc..
On their website you can download pdf documents outlining the national minimum standards for care.
Some of the basic standards of care that should be implemented.
Residents should always be given the correct dosage of medication that they require.
Food and water should be made sufficiently available.
Assistance with personal hygiene should always be offered when needed.
Health and safety should be applied at all times. The vulnerable should be assisted and extra measures are expected to be in place.
Assisted aids and mobility aids should be used where needed.
Those are just a handful of the common sense guidelines that should be implemented.
Care homes who make sure all the regulations and guidelines are in place, will avoid any cases of nursing home negligence.
Tuesday, 21 April 2009
Tuesday, 7 April 2009
Care Home Negligence
One of the growing sad occurrences is care home abuse and negligence.
It is both a sensitive and delicate issue that is often avoided out of fear or lack of education of the subject.
Who suffers as a result of abuse or negligence?
1. The victim - elderly or vulnerable person placed in care.
2. Relatives of the victim.
3. Residents in the care home if the issue is not dealt with.
How to spot neglect or abuse
Although abuse and negligence can be defined as different things, they both have the same warning signs.
1. Sudden changes in the behaviour of the person in the care home.
2. Physical injuries such as, cuts, bruises, black eyes, broken bones etc...
3. Care home staff refusing to leave you alone with the patient.
4. Malnutrition or dehydration
Above are brief warning signs that you need to be looking for.
What to do if you suspect negligence or abuse?
If you are a concerned relative or friend or a person who works in a care home. You will be scared of getting it wrong.
What if you are right? It is up to us to protect the vulnerable and elderly.
Even if the victim has had a fall, measures should be in place to prevent falls. Abuse or neglect can come in many forms.
The nursing home or care home will have a system that deals with enquiries. If you do not feel you can contact them, then there are independent specialists that will deal with this delicate issue for you.
It is both a sensitive and delicate issue that is often avoided out of fear or lack of education of the subject.
Who suffers as a result of abuse or negligence?
1. The victim - elderly or vulnerable person placed in care.
2. Relatives of the victim.
3. Residents in the care home if the issue is not dealt with.
How to spot neglect or abuse
Although abuse and negligence can be defined as different things, they both have the same warning signs.
1. Sudden changes in the behaviour of the person in the care home.
2. Physical injuries such as, cuts, bruises, black eyes, broken bones etc...
3. Care home staff refusing to leave you alone with the patient.
4. Malnutrition or dehydration
Above are brief warning signs that you need to be looking for.
What to do if you suspect negligence or abuse?
If you are a concerned relative or friend or a person who works in a care home. You will be scared of getting it wrong.
What if you are right? It is up to us to protect the vulnerable and elderly.
Even if the victim has had a fall, measures should be in place to prevent falls. Abuse or neglect can come in many forms.
The nursing home or care home will have a system that deals with enquiries. If you do not feel you can contact them, then there are independent specialists that will deal with this delicate issue for you.
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