Finding a Quality Nursing Home
What To Look For In Quality Florida Nursing Homes
You can reduce the risk of nursing home neglect and abuse by ensuring that your loved one is residing in a quality Florida nursing home. Good-quality nursing homes are more likely to employ conscientious staff, provide proper equipment and services, and have policies and procedures that encourage residents’ well-being while guarding against mistreatment.
At the Philip DeBerard, Injury Attorney, law firm in Florida, we know how to gather evidence and document conditions in any Florida nursing home where a patient has suffered neglect or abuse. If you’re worried about how a family member is being treated as a nursing home resident, contact us today to discuss your concerns.
Whether you’re in Stuart, Okeechobee, Port St. Lucie, Palm Beach, Vero Beach, or anywhere in South Florida, you can reach Philip DeBerard, Injury Attorney, at (888) 649-6092, or use our online form. We always offer a free consultation to discuss your case.
Quality Nursing Homes Have Common Elements
You can look for a variety of things when evaluating whether your loved one is residing in a quality Florida nursing home, adult family-care home, or assisted-living facility. These include:
Proper Florida Nursing Home Facilities
- A current, valid Florida operating license
- Medicare and Medicaid certification
- Smoke detectors and fire alarms on every floor
- An automatic sprinkler system in case of fire
- Emergency lighting
- Backup power equipment for use during power outages
- Handrails in hallways, and grab bars in bathrooms
- Clearly marked exits that aren’t blocked
- Bedrooms that open onto a corridor and have windows, as required by law
- No offensive odors or heavily scented air fresheners intended to mask foul odors
- Toilet facilities that accommodate walkers and wheelchairs
- An attractive dining room
Proper Florida Nursing Home Staffing
- A licensed and qualified facility administrator
- A good ratio of staff to patients
- A physician available for residents’ medical emergencies
- An activities and exercise coordinator
- Full background checks on all staff members during hiring, along with strict policies on staff members’ interactions with residents
Positive Florida Nursing Home Policies
- Open visitation privileges for residents, subject to reasonable limits for residents’ security (such as requiring all visitors and caregivers to sign in and out, and controlling public access to the building during late night hours)
- Policies encouraging residents to spend time in safe areas outside the facility
- A wide variety of food menus, appetizing food, and opportunities for residents to provide comments and suggestions about meals
- An active resident participation program or council
A clean and pleasant facility that actively engages residents while attending to their needs doesn’t guarantee that neglect and abuse are absent, but it’s encouraging and a good start.
Contact Us Today If Your Loved One May Have Suffered Neglect Or Abuse In A Florida Nursing Home
At Philip DeBerard, Injury Attorney, we are ready to talk with you if you think a loved one has suffered neglect or abuse in a Florida nursing home. We always offer free consultations so that we can sit down with you, candidly talk about your concerns, and help you decide whether you need to take action to protect your family member.
Philip Deberard, Injury Attorney, represents clients across South Florida, including the Treasure Coast, Okeechobee and Palm Beach Counties, with our main office located in Stuart, Florida. Call us at (888) 649-6092, or use our online form, and let us get started helping you today.
