Over the past weeks, we’ve discussed what to do when you begin “Considering Elder Care” in Philadelphia and how to start “Choosing A Nursing Home In Philadelphia.” Today, we’ll be providing an overview of another type of elder care facility in Pennsylvania: assisted living facilities.

Assisted Living Facilities In Pennsylvania

Assisted living facilities in Pennsylvania are designed for elders seeking a more independent lifestyle than nursing homes generally offer. By name, Assisted Living Facilities often sound like every other residential development, with names like Briar Court and Chilton’s Manor.

What Do Assisted Living Facilities Offer?

Residents of assisted living facilities often live in their own apartments, without constant monitoring by staff. Meals are usually taken in a central dining hall, and while there is generally a dedicated staff on call 24/7, most assisted living facilities employ only one registered nurse at a time.

Nursing homes, on the other hand, will most likely have a team of doctors available for residents at all hours of the day. If your elderly loved one suffers from a serious medical condition, a nursing home is probably more appropriate than an assisted living facility.

Most assisted living facilities also offer a host of activities and clubs that allow elderly residents in Philadelphia to socialize and remain active in a structured, nurturing setting.

If your loved one has minor health problems and is seeking to maintain a relatively independent lifestyle, although the prospect of remaining at home is impossible, an assisted living facility may be the right choice for their well being.

Preventing Assisted Living Facility Neglect & Abuse In Pennsylvania

As we noted in our last article, the best way to prevent nursing home abuse and neglect is to thoroughly investigate nursing homes before your loved one lives there. The same holds true in Assisted Living Facilities, where assisted living facility abuse and neglect are an all-too-common, tragic occurrence.

Contact A Long Term Care Ombudsman

In beginning your search for the right assisted living facility in Pennsylvania, we suggest reaching out to a long term care ombudsman. An ombudsman, although technically an employee of the state, works to promote transparency and accountability among professional organizations. A long term care ombudsmen’s job is to investigate complaints, including claims of assisted living facility abuse and neglect. An elder care ombudsman can inform you of any violations of residents’ rights that have been brought against an assisted living facility in Pennsylvania.

Call 1-800-677-1116 to locate a long term care ombudsmen with knowledge of the assisted living facilities near you.

Make Appointments To Visit Assisted Living Facilities In Philadelphia

With a long term care ombudsman’s recommendations in hand, begin planning visits to assisted living facilities in your area. Many elder care facilities offer tours to potential residents and their families, but be aware that these tours will only highlight the facility’s positive aspects.

In addition to taking a tour, make an appointment to sit down with staff members of the assisted living facility. If your ombudsman found resident right’s violations, don’t be afraid to bring these up and ask a staff member to explain them.

Visit A Resident’s Apartment

Ask to visit a resident’s apartment and inspect it thoroughly. Make sure that:

• It’s clean. Most assisted living facilities have cleaning teams on staff. Does it look like they’re doing their job? Poor hygiene increases the risk of spreading disease, a potentially deadly form of assisted living facility neglect.
• Proper interventions are in place. “Interventions” is the term used in the elder care industry to define additional technologies that protect residents’ health. These most commonly include shower bars and bed railings.

Other Assisted Living Facility Interventions

In addition to those cited above, elder care professionals agree that the following precautions should be in place in a well-maintained assisted living facility. On your visit to an assisted living facility in Pennsylvania, ask yourself the following questions:

• Are the floors even and smooth, with minimal changes in level?
• Is the lighting bright and even, rather than dim?
• Is the facility’s general atmosphere welcoming and social? Or does it feel like a doctor’s office?
• Is it easy to navigate?
• Good assisted living facilities use contrasting colors to help signs and labels stand out from the background. Are signs lit properly and easy to read?

For more tips on making an informed choice about assisted living facilities, visit the US Government’s Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services and read their excellent guide, “Your Guide To Choosing A Nursing Home or Other Long-Term Care.”

Contact An Assisted Living Facility Neglect And Abuse Attorney In Philadelphia

When our elderly loved ones enter an assisted living facility in Pennsylvania, we have to put an incredible of trust in the facility’s staff and management. Unfortunately, this trust is not always warranted. According to the National Center For Elder Abuse, 10% of all elder care facility residents experience abuse or neglect in a single year.

We hope that our guide has given you some food for thought, so you can start making informed decisions in your elderly loved one’s best interests. If you suspect that your loved one is suffering assisted living facility abuse or neglect, contact PA Nursing Home Lawyers today for a free consultation.