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Nursing homes in Kentucky aren’t like those of past generations

On Behalf of | Dec 23, 2014 | Firm News |

When you think of nursing homes, there might be some very specific thoughts that come to mind. The truth is that some of those thoughts might be misconceptions. The world of nursing homes has changed considerably in the recent years, so if you haven’t had any exposure to them recently, you might not realize some of these points. 

Nursing homes aren’t all the same, and many don’t expect the residents to all be the same. Gone are the days when nursing homes were run like boot camps for senior citizens. Now, senior citizens can choose from various activities. They can enjoy comforts that are similar to being home.

Residents in a Kentucky nursing home can make their own decisions these days. They can take charge of their own medical care. They can choose what they want to do. They can choose what medications to take and what medications to decline. Just because they are in a nursing facility doesn’t mean they lose their right to make choices about their life.

Another important factor here is that they always have the right to privacy. Violations of privacy might be a sign of nursing home abuse or neglect.

In the past, nursing home sometimes used restraints and similar devices. For the most part, those aren’t used any longer. The use of restraints and mechanical devices is governed by federal regulations. That means that without specific medical orders, such as using a mechanical aid to help a person sit up, those devices aren’t usually used.

Finally, the health of residents is the top concern. This means that the old thought of nursing homes smelling like urine is a thing of the past. A urine smell in a nursing home is a red flag that shows the sanitation at the facility likely leaves something to be desired. The kitchen areas are usually clean, and the food is typically more akin to home cooking than it was in the past.

If you have a loved one in a nursing home or if you are a resident in the nursing home, these points are some that you can use to determine if the nursing home is suitable. Any instances of nursing home abuse or neglect should be addressed right away.

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