Choosing a nursing home for a parent, spouse, or family member is never easy. After making that tough decision, the next step is just as important: finding a place where your loved one will be safe, respected, and well cared for.
Families in Philadelphia and nearby areas have many nursing homes and long-term care options, but the quality of care can vary a lot. At Kwartler Manus, we have helped families in Pennsylvania and New Jersey who trusted a facility, only to find out about neglect or abuse later. Our experience has shown us what makes a good nursing home stand out. Here are some important things to consider from a compassionate Philadelphia nursing home abuse lawyer.
1. Staffing Levels and Turnover
Understaffing is one of the most common root causes of nursing home neglect. Understaffing is a common reason for nursing home neglect. If there aren’t enough aides and nurses, residents might wait too long for help, miss meals, or go without being checked on for hours. This can lead to falls, bedsores, and untreated health problems, especially overnight.
- What is the staff turnover rate?
- Are nurses and aides properly licensed and trained?
High turnover is often a red flag. It usually signals low pay and poor management. A high staff turnover rate is often a warning sign. It can mean low pay, poor management, or staff burnout, and these problems often affect the care residents get. Medicare or Medicaid is inspected regularly, and those results are public record. The federal Care Compare website, run by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), lets you look up a facility's star rating for health inspections, staffing, and quality measures. In Pennsylvania, the Department of Health also publishes survey and complaint history for licensed facilities.
2. Read Inspection Reports
Don't just look at the overall star rating. Read the actual inspection notes. A facility can have a decent overall score while still having problems. Don’t rely only on the overall star rating. Read the inspection notes, too. A facility might have a good overall score but still have a record of problems like medication mistakes, bedsores, or falls. Pay attention to repeated issues, not just one-time events, such as:
- Whether common areas and resident rooms are tidy and well-maintained
- Whether call lights are answered promptly during your visit
- Whether residents appear engaged, groomed, and comfortable, rather than left alone in hallways or beds for long stretches
3. Rely on Your Instincts if Something Feels Wrong
Trust your instincts. If something doesn’t seem right during your visit, take time to look into it more before making a decision. directly tied to a resident's health and recovery. Ask about the menu, how dietary restrictions and swallowing difficulties are accommodated, and whether residents who need help eating actually receive one-on-one assistance at mealtimes. Malnutrition and dehydration are unfortunately common in understaffed facilities, and they can lead to serious, sometimes life-threatening, complications.
4. Medical and Emergency Response Guidelines
Ask how the facility handles medical emergencies, gives out medication, and communicates with outside doctors. Find out:
- What their protocol is for falls, wounds, or infections
- Whether a registered nurse is on-site around the clock, not just on call
A facility that's transparent and detailed in answering these questions usually takes them seriously. If multiple families describe similar complaints, such as slow response times, unexplained injuries, or dismissive staff, take that seriously. Better yet, ask the facility if you can speak with current residents' families directly, or see if there's an active family council you can contact.
5. Licensing, Ownership, and Complaint History
Find out who owns and runs the facility. Some nursing homes are part of big companies that make cost decisions away from the care staff. Check if the facility or its parent company has had lawsuits, fines, or license problems before. You can often find this information through state licensing boards and court records.
6. Trust Your Ongoing Observations
Choosing a nursing home is not a one-time decision. After your loved one moves in, keep checking in. Visit at different times, not just when the staff expects you. Look for things like unexplained bruises, sudden weight loss, mood changes, or poor hygiene. These can be early signs of neglect and should be addressed right away.
Call Kwartler Manus If You Suspect Neglect or Abuse
Sadly, even with careful research, some families find out later that a facility did not provide the care it promised. If you see signs of neglect, injury, or mistreatment, speak up right away to the facility’s administration and report it to the Pennsylvania Department of Health or the right state agency.
If your loved one has been hurt because of a nursing home’s negligence, you do not have to handle it alone. The nursing home abuse attorneys at Kwartler Manus have helped families in the Philadelphia area hold nursing homes accountable and seek the answers and compensation they deserve. If you are worried about a loved one’s care, contact us for a free, confidential consultation.
Blog Disclaimer – Kwartler Manus, LLC
The information provided in this blog is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. Reading or interacting with this content does not establish an attorney-client relationship with Kwartler Manus, LLC. Every legal matter is unique, and past results, settlements, verdicts, or case outcomes do not guarantee or predict a similar result in any future matter. This content may be considered Attorney Advertising under the rules of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. You should not act or rely upon any information contained in this blog without seeking the advice of a qualified attorney regarding your specific situation. Kwartler Manus, LLC is licensed to practice in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and this blog is intended for residents of those jurisdictions.