One of the hardest decisions you’ll ever make is whether to move your loved one into a Columbia nursing home. Typically, it is a parent or even a spouse who needs full-time care. They simply can’t take care of themselves anymore. And you don’t have the time or skills to take care of them anymore. That’s why it can be heartbreaking to learn that the nursing home employees aren’t taking good care of your mom or dad. Columbia nursing home abuse lawyers talk to many clients who fear their parents are being abused or neglected.

One thing you can do to prevent this sort of thing is to do your homework before you place your loved one in a facility. You want to make sure the nursing home or assisted living center has a good reputation. You also want to check to see if they have a history of being sued for neglect or abuse. Here we’ll discuss a few things you can do to protect your parents or loved one when it’s time to move them into a nursing home.

The Physical Layout and Cleanliness of the Facility Does Matter

One of the things you need to do before you make any final decisions is take a tour of the facility. Look to see if the building is clean and safe. Check to see if it looks like it is in a state of disrepair. Ask yourself some of the following questions when surveying the home:

• Are the walls painted a fresh, soothing color?
• Does it have a bad odor?
• Do the residents look happy and well taken care of?
• How does the staff interact with you?
• Does it have outdoor space for the residents to enjoy?
• Are there activities going on for the residents?

These are some of the important things you’ll want to see. Of course, just because a nursing home looks clean and safe may not all that important. However, you’d be surprised at what it tells you about a facility.

Talk to the Ombudsman in Your County and See if There are Any Recent Complaints Against the Nursing Home

You’ll want to talk to your local Ombudsman’s office. See if they have received any recent complaints about the home or its staff. If they have received complaints, check to see what kind of issues are being reported. Did these complaints turn into lawsuits? Ask if the Ombudsman found anything troubling with any specific departments or buildings.

Look to See if there Have Been Any Civil or Criminal Lawsuits Filed Against the South Carolina Nursing Home

Your Columbia nursing home abuse lawyer can check to see if any lawsuits have been filed against the home. They can check the court records to see if there have been any judgments found against the administration. You can also have your attorney look to see if there are any pending cases against the nursing home. Finally, they may be able to find cases that settled out of court. It doesn’t matter how much these cases settled for. You probably won’t have access to this information. The fact that they settled at all can be telling enough.

Talk to a Few of the Current Residents

When you visit or tour the facility, talk to some of the residents. If they have family members there, see if you can talk to them too. Ask them if they like living there. Look to see if they’re clean and taken care of. Know ahead of time that a lot of nursing home residents may be suffering from dementia or other conditions. If they tell you outrageous stories, they may not be factual. Use common sense to get a feel for how the residents are treated.

Read Any Reviews or Complaints with the BBB in Your Area

Most nursing homes will have a public rating with the Better Business Bureau. You can look to see what people have to say about a specific nursing home. If their rating is poor, look to see if there are any reviews or complaints online. Your Columbia nursing home abuse lawyer can dig deeper if need be. They may have access to records of any complaints lodged against the facility.

Ask Your Columbia Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer if They Can Make a Recommendation

Before you make any final decisions, call and talk to a Columbia nursing home abuse lawyer in South Carolina. They can guide you in the right direction when it comes to choosing a nursing home for your mom or dad.