January 16, 2018
Protecting Your Loved One Living in a Michigan Nursing Home
Moving into a nursing home or assisted care facility has many consequences. First, living in a nursing home or other facility is a major life change for the resident. The person no longer has the level of privacy and autonomy that he or she once did when living on their own. Moving into a nursing home may also coincide with a major health issue that impacts the person’s physical or mental health.
In addition, moving into a facility has substantial financial consequences for the resident and his or her family. Nursing home care is extremely expensive. Some facilities can cost between $8,000 to $14,000 per month. For many families, the cost of a long-term care facility is too expensive. Therefore, they rely on assistance from government programs such as Medicaid to pay the cost of nursing home care.
Because the cost of nursing home care and other long-term care is very expensive, it is extremely important to include Medicaid planning in your Michigan estate plan. Our Michigan Medicaid planning attorneys can help you develop an estate plan that includes provisions for long-term care. By taking steps now, you can prepare for the cost of long-term care and protect your assets for your spouse and family members.
Spotting the Signs of Elder Neglect and Nursing Home Abuse
Long-term care is a reality for many people in Michigan. Even though you plan for the possibility of nursing home or assisted living care, it can be difficult to move someone into a long-term care facility. Even though you have prepared for the financial cost of nursing home care, you also need to prepare to protect your loved one once he or she is living in a facility.
Elder abuse and nursing home abuse is a real threat to many residents. The more you know about how to spot nursing home abuse the better you are prepared to protect your loved ones from neglect and abuse.
Types of Elder Abuse and Abuse in Nursing Homes and How to Spot Abuse
Elder abuse can occur in several ways. A senior can experience abuse or neglect because of:
- Physical abuse;
- Psychological abuse;
- Emotional abuse;
- Gross neglect;
- Verbal abuse;
- Health care fraud;
- Financial abuse; and,
- Sexual abuse.
When you are visiting potential facilities for your family member, be sure to visit each facility several times. Notice how the staff interacts with residents and how residents respond to staff members. Do the residents appear frightened of staff members? Are residents in their rooms or are they interacting outside of their rooms?
Also, pay close attention to how the facility appears and smells. Is the facility clean? Do you smell strong odors of urine and other odors that might indicate a lack of maintenance and cleaning? The facility should be well-maintained and thoroughly cleaned to protect the residents.
When visiting family members in nursing homes, look for signs of abuse including:
- Bed sores, bruises, and other physical injuries
- Unexplained injuries, including broken bones, fractures, cuts, and head injuries
- Sexually transmitted diseases and infections
- Unexplained weight loss or malnutrition
- Dirty clothing and unsanitary conditions
- Missing property or unexplained financial transactions
- Reluctance to speak to or in front of staff members
- Desire to remain isolated or emotional withdrawal
- Staff refuses to answer questions about a resident’s care and condition
- High staff turnover or lack of staff members
- Soiled bedclothes
- Unnecessary medical treatments, excessive diagnostic tests, and unnecessary medical equipment
For more information about nursing home abuse and how to spot the signs of neglect and abuse, you can visit the websites for the National Institute on Aging and Michigan Department of Health & Human Services (MDHHS). If you suspect nursing home abuse or elder neglect, you need to report your suspicions to the proper authorities and contact an attorney to discuss your legal options.
Michigan Medicaid Planning Attorneys
The Elder Care Firm of Christopher J. Berry, CELA assists individuals and families as they plan for long-term care. It is very important that you take steps now to provide for your future, protect your family members, and protect your assets. A comprehensive estate plan can help you ensure that you have the necessary funds to cover long-term care costs if you ever need to enter a nursing home or other assisted care facility.
Call 888-390-4360 to schedule an appointment with an attorney. You may also use the contact form on our website to obtain additional information about preparing for the cost of long-term care.