New Federal Regulations Are To Protect Residents Of Nursing Homes

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You never want to have to place your loved one in a nursing home, but sometimes you have to. You do your best to make them comfortable and happy. As people age, they are more likely to need care around the clock. A nursing home may be the solution. You worry about your loved one while they are in the care of others.

This year the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services made several revisions to the federal nursing home regulations.

The updated regulations include:

• The safety of belongings. The personal belongings of residents will be a bigger responsibility for nursing homes. They must take care of the belongings. Any accusations of theft should be taken seriously.
• Residents will have more control of decisions that impact their daily lives. Visitation protocols may change due to this update. Choosing a roommate and the option to have a snack are items that have been updated to improve quality of daily life in nursing homes.
• Stricter and more in-depth staff training is to be implemented. The hope is that better trained staff will minimize cases of neglect and abuse amongst residents. An infections control officer will now be delegated in homes. Their job will be to monitor antibiotic usage.

These new regulations are to be fully implemented by the end of 2019. If you have a loved one in a nursing home, you can watch for signs of mistreatment. If you do suspect any negligence, you should take action immediately to remedy the issue.

Symptoms of neglect and abuse to watch for include:

• Unusual fluctuation in weight.
• Hygienic issues.
• Unexplained or unauthorized medication changes.
• Sudden mood changes.
• Unexplained injuries-such as bruising, sprains and broken bones.
• Changes in bank accounts or legal documentation.