The Nursing Home Family "Toolkit"
Placing a family member in a nursing home is painful and difficult, yet necessary when the medical and physical demands make other options unacceptable.
The nursing home environment and staff procedures may be overwhelming for the family as well as the patient. In order to function in this new environment the family must learn a new set of rules and procedures.
The Nursing Home Family “Toolkit” is a structure that families can utilize to get their bearings in an otherwise confusing situation.
The “Toolkit” is a protocol for gathering information about the facility, its caregivers, management, and the other residents and their families.
Caregivers, Management, Residents and Families
There are many caregivers in the nursing home setting. It’s important for the family to know the names, positions and shifts of all caregivers in order to understand which caregiver is responsible for the delivery of care during each shift.
To the extent possible, it is advisable for the family to meet each of the patient’s caregivers to establish a personal relationship between the family and the facility staff.
Obtaining the names of all supervisory staff and their shifts enables families to understand the chain of command.
The family should learn the name of the Director of Nursing, the Medical Director, and the Administrator and the times they are in the building.
Since there is considerable turnover in nursing homes, the information should be updated quarterly.
Finally, the name of the treating physician, the days and times he is usually in the building is also important.
Other Residents and their Families
You and your loved one are now in the new “community” with other residents and their families. There is a lot to learn and the other residents and families can be very helpful.
They will have information and opinions about the staff and administration which they can share with you. They can keep an eye on your loved one when you are not there and call potential problems to your attention.
Make sure to get the complete names of the other residents and their families, as well as their addresses and phone numbers.
Keeping a Diary
As a lawyer, I review many nursing home neglect and abuse cases. It is very helpful to visit with a family that has kept a diary of the events surrounding the care of their loved one. Details about the problems confronting the family and their efforts to obtain necessary care can go a long way in establishing nursing home accountability.
