How To Stay Involved With Your Elderly Loved One If You Live Far Away

If your loved one is in a nursing home or other long-term care facility, you are likely worried about the care they are receiving. Nursing home abuse and neglect is all too common and it is a concern for anyone who has a loved one in a facility. One of the best ways to prevent abuse and neglect from occurring is to remain involved in your loved one’s life. While this is easy for relatives who live nearby and can visit often, how can you stay involved if you live far away? Our Tampa nursing home abuse attorney explains how below.

Call Often 

Of course, the easiest way to remain involved in your loved one’s life when you cannot physically visit is to call them often. Phone calls at least once a week can make your presence be felt in your loved one’s life even when you are not physically there. While speaking to your loved one, ask them about the care and support they are receiving from staff members, any medications they are taking, and the medical care they are receiving. If you are suspicious of anything your loved one talks about, it may be time to schedule a visit or speak to the nursing home administrator.

Have Virtual Visits

 Speaking to your loved one over the phone is a good way to make sure they are doing well and have not become the victims of abuse or neglect. However, it is even more helpful if you can actually see your loved one. This will allow you to look for signs of abuse and neglect, including unexplained bruises, sudden weight loss, unhygienic conditions, and other signs that your loved one is not being treated well. Use Facebook or Skype to have virtual visits with your loved one, asking the nursing home staff members to help set your family member up on these apps.

Speak to Nursing Home Staff Members Often

 Regardless of where you live, it is always important to speak to the caregivers closest to your loved one so you can stay informed about the care they are receiving. It is particularly important if you live far away. Elderly individuals are not always capable of talking about the care they are receiving. This is particularly true when they are suffering from certain conditions such as dementia or Alzheimer’s. Speaking to the staff members in the nursing home can give you a better understanding of the support and attention your loved one is receiving. It will also give you an opportunity to ask any questions about your family member’s care.

Speak to a Nursing Home Abuse Attorney in Tampa 

If, after speaking to your loved one and staff members, you suspect your family member is a victim of abuse or neglect, you need to know about your legal options. At Kohn Law, our Tampa nursing home abuse attorney can provide the legal advice you need and help secure the best outcome for you and your family. Call us now at 813-428-8504 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation and to learn more.

Source:

leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0400-0499/0400/0400.html