Nursing Home Abuse and Nursing Home Neglect Informational Resource
Important Documents
If your loved one has suffered due to nursing home abuse or nursing home neglect and you are considering litigation as a remedy, you should make sure to document as many things as you can. Below we have provided you with some information on important topics to document.
Keep Copies of Everything!
Keep the brochures and any other information you are given by a facility. Once you have selected a facility, keep copies of ALL contracts, admission documents, bills, receipts and any other papers you receive from the facility.
Photographs
Take photographs of the resident at the time of admission and keep a periodic record of photographs. In the event of any injury, bruise or other unusual event, take photographs. All of these photographs should be dated.
Keep Track of the Names of Staff Members
Keep a record of the names of the administrator(s), director(s) of nursing, charge nurses, medication aides and certified nurse aides who assist your loved on. Make a note of the date that these people leave and when their replacements take over. There is tremendous turnover of personnel.
Review Records
Once your loved one has been admitted, periodically ask to review all of his/her records, including medical records, medication administration records, and activities of daily living records (ADL's). You are entitled to see these records. Make sure that what is reflected in the records comports with your observations. For instance, notice whether records reflect the resident has eaten 100 per cent of every meal when you have observed that he/she has actually lost weight. Check to see what the facility has been feeding the resident.
Care Planning Meetings
If you are notified that the facility will be having a meeting to determine the care plan for your loved one, have a family member participate in the meeting. If you do not understand what is being discussed, ask questions.
