This ongoing problem our society faces is shocking and detrimental for those involved.
Sever cases of neglect or abuse spout up in the media. They shock and stun us to the point of unbelief.
Just hearing about these reports are enough to really effect us, but what must it be like for the victims and their families.
You place your loved ones in care homes because they are vulnerable and need specialist care, more than you can physically or emotionally provide yourself.
Your loved one may be elderly or even disabled. You expect them to be cared for in nursing homes. You certainly do not expect them to become victims of negligence.
How Care Home Neglect or Abuse can be prevented
The buck basically stops with the care home or nursing home. They have certain levels of standards that should be met at all times. These measures are in place to keep its residents safe.
These regulations can be found at the care quality commission website www.cqc.org.uk.
Care Quality Commission is the independent regulator of health and social care in England. Their aim is to make sure proper care is given to everyone, regardless if they are in hospital, nursing homes, their own homes or elsewhere.
On their website you can download pdf documents outlining the national minimum standards for care.
Here are some of the basic standards of care that should be adhered to
All residents should be given the correct and sufficient medication.
Food and water should be made suffitently available.
Residence who need help with personal hygiene should have help readily available.
Health and safety should be in place at all times. The vulnerable will need extra precautions.
The use of assisting aids should be used for those who need it.
Those are just a few of the common sense guidelines that should be met.
Care homes who make sure all the regulations and guidelines are in place, will avoid any cases of care home negligence.
Tuesday, 21 April 2009
Tuesday, 7 April 2009
Negligence in Care Home
One of the growing sad occurrences is care home abuse and negligence.
This is a very sensitive issue that needs delicate attention. Unfortunately it is often overlooked through fear or lack of knowledge.
Who's is effected by the abuse or neglect?
1. The victim, elderly, disabled, vulnerable placed in care.
2. The relatives of the victim
3. Other residents of the care home if the issue is not resolved.
Spotting abuse or negligence
Although abuse and negligence can be defined as different things, they both have the same warning signs.
1. Sudden behaviour changes of the person in care.
2. Physical injuries such as, cuts, bruises, black eyes, broken bones etc...
3. Care home staff refusing to leave you alone with the patient.
4. Food and water deprivation
Above are brief warning signs that you need to be looking for.
What to do if you suspect negligence or abuse?
Whether you are a victim, a relative, a friend or even someone who works in a nursing or care home. Your biggest problem will be fear of getting it wrong.
The problem is though, what if you are right? It is our job to protect the vulnerable.
It maybe that the victim has had a fall, is this negligence? Well one thing that should be happening is to have measures in place to prevent such falls!
The nursing home or care home will have a system that deals with enquiries. If you do not feel you can contact them, then there are independent specialists that will deal with this delicate issue for you.
This is a very sensitive issue that needs delicate attention. Unfortunately it is often overlooked through fear or lack of knowledge.
Who's is effected by the abuse or neglect?
1. The victim, elderly, disabled, vulnerable placed in care.
2. The relatives of the victim
3. Other residents of the care home if the issue is not resolved.
Spotting abuse or negligence
Although abuse and negligence can be defined as different things, they both have the same warning signs.
1. Sudden behaviour changes of the person in care.
2. Physical injuries such as, cuts, bruises, black eyes, broken bones etc...
3. Care home staff refusing to leave you alone with the patient.
4. Food and water deprivation
Above are brief warning signs that you need to be looking for.
What to do if you suspect negligence or abuse?
Whether you are a victim, a relative, a friend or even someone who works in a nursing or care home. Your biggest problem will be fear of getting it wrong.
The problem is though, what if you are right? It is our job to protect the vulnerable.
It maybe that the victim has had a fall, is this negligence? Well one thing that should be happening is to have measures in place to prevent such falls!
The nursing home or care home will have a system that deals with enquiries. If you do not feel you can contact them, then there are independent specialists that will deal with this delicate issue for you.
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