Leaving a loved one in a nursing home can be a decision that is difficult; finding out that the nursing home you left them with hasn’t been taking care of them properly isn’t something you want to have to deal with. Sadly, nursing home abuse does happen, and when it does, someone needs to step up and talk about it.
An Oct. 24 report out of Montgomery, Alabama, claims that several people had been reaching out to the news about nursing home abuse in the state. Some claimed that residents cried out for help and were ignored; another woman claims her mother was abused, left sitting soiled in a wheelchair for most of the day while the staff ignored her.
She isn’t the only person who has complained; several others have had similar complaints about their loved ones’ treatments at local nursing facilities. Despite the current concerns, the Alabama Nursing Home Association allegedly doesn’t believe that it’s common for nursing home about to take place. Although it’s not common, it still does happen, and when that’s a case, those individuals have rights and the right to live a fulfilling, comfortable life.
The Alabama Nursing Home Association has stated that it’s important to first talk to the facility’s administration team. If nothing changes, then the Alabama Department of Public Health should be called. The Department of Public Health looks into complaints and concerns, and if they are based in fact, then they move forward with the investigation.
As you know, your loved one has every right to live as comfortably as any other person. You don’t have to sit by and watch nursing home abuse happen; you can get help, and you may be able to be compensated.
Source: WSFA.com, “12 News Defenders: Fighting nursing home abuse” Hannah Lane, Oct. 24, 2014
