What Should You Know Before Placing Your Parent in a Nursing Home?

The time has come. Nobody is ever ready to take that step but there seems to be no viable alternative. It’s time to place your mother or father in a nursing home. The doctors, the social workers, your siblings and other family members say the time is right – so why do you have a pit in your stomach and a feeling of dread in your heart?

You’re satisfied with the cheerfully painted walls and pretty landscaping. But before signing on the dotted line, you must educate yourself about what rights you and your parent have while in a nursing home.

The nursing home industry is a big profitable business where patient care decisions are based on the facilities bottom line. You and your family may be paying the bill or part of the bill for your parent’s care or Medicare or Medicaid may be paying the bill. Somebody is paying the nursing home for care.

What happens if you are unhappy about the care received? What happens if you find their care sub-standard or worse -- negligent? What happens if your parent shows signs of physical or emotional abuse?

What can you do to fight back and make wrongs right?