Assisted-Living Centers vs. Nursing Homes
Assisted-living centers and nursing homes both care for elderly residents, but they differ in the types of medical care and services provided. Those who are unable to live at home due to disabilities or medical conditions are often good candidates for nursing homes; those who need some ongoing aid but don’t have functional disabilities may be best served in an assisted-living facility.
Because of their reliance on their caretakers, elders in nursing homes and assisted-living centers are vulnerable to abuse and neglect. Staff members are there to provide around-the-clock care for your loved one, including providing food, assisting with bathing, going to the bathroom and all other daily routines. When staff neglects your elder, it is a form of abuse.
Negligent caretakers can also injure your loved one with:
- Physical abuse
- Verbal abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Emotional abuse
Oftentimes, residents of these facilities feel they are at the mercy of their caretakers, and ill-intentioned caretakers can exploit elders' vulnerability and, as is often the case, elders' cognitive impairment by abusing them. Older adults have the same rights to privacy, happiness and a life free from abuse as the rest of us.
Unfortunately, residents at both assisted-living centers and nursing homes are susceptible to neglect and/or abuse. If your family member shows signs of abuse while living in a nursing home or assisted-living center, contact the Arizona nursing home abuse attorneys at Cullan & Cullan as soon as possible.
Click here to learn more about Diabetes in Assisted Living Centers.
Questions to Ask before Selecting a Nursing Home
In choosing a nursing home facility, you’ll want to make the best decision possible for your loved one. Here are a few questions to consider asking nursing home administrators:
- Is there a full-time nurse in the facility at all times?
- Does the facility provide daily activities?
- What is the nursing home’s safety and emergency plan?
- Does the staff help its patients eat and drink during mealtime?
- Does the facility have a strong nurse retention rate?
Questions to Ask before Selecting an Assisted Living Center
Learning more about the amenities, care provided and services offered in a specific assisted-living center will go a long way toward ensuring that you’ve chosen the best place for your loved one. Here are a few questions to ask:
- What happens in the event of a resident’s medical emergency?
- What medical services are provided and how are they administered?
- Is transportation available for residents to go to doctor appointments?
- What types of organized activities are planned for residents?
- What means of security is utilized in the event that a resident wanders off?
- Are pharmacy, barber/beautician or physical therapy services on site?
If you believe a loved one is suffering abuse or neglect in a nursing home or assisted-living center, please contact the experienced Arizona nursing home abuse lawyers at Cullan & Cullan, for a free case evaluation.