When a sick or elderly loved one needs a more comprehensive level of care, there are seemingly endless options available. However, two of the most common places these people end up are nursing homes or rehabilitation facilities.
While the ultimate goal of placing a loved one in one of these facilities is to get them the care they need, there are sometimes other consequences that come with putting the well-being and care of a loved one in someone else’s hands. Also, you may be wondering what the major differences are between these facilities.
Contact Maison Law Today For a Free Consultation
At Maison Law, our team of experienced California nursing home abuse lawyers knows how difficult the decision to place a loved one in someone else’s care can be. Not only are there significant financial burdens for doing so, but emotional ones as well. When these facilities fail to live up to their responsibility to you and their other patients, we can help.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation to learn more.
Nursing Homes Versus Rehab Facilities
Even though they are sometimes used interchangeably, there are significant differences between nursing homes and rehab facilities. Generally speaking, the biggest difference between the two is in the level and scope of care.
- Nursing homes – A nursing home is meant for more long-term care for those people that require ongoing medical treatment and assistance. Often, these facilities provide their patients with assistance relating to their activities of daily living (ADLs) including eating, bathing, dressing, taking their medication, and socializing. Nursing homes offer around-the-clock care, and are generally more accessible. While most nursing homes are owned and operated by private companies, there are also some facilities that are operated by local or state entities. These facilities are subject to regulations, and as such, must meet minimum requirements to remain licensed.
- Rehab facilities – A rehab facility is designed for short-term, rehabilitative care from an illness or injury. They are classified as hospitals, and patients are provided with acute care by nurses and other providers under the supervision of a doctor. Most elderly rehab facilities also offer specialized therapy for their patients, which usually consists of physical therapy to recover from an injury or to maintain activity, occupational therapy to assist with daily activities, or speech therapy to help with communication and cognitive skills.
Diving deeper into the difference between these two facilities, it’s helpful to understand the benefits and drawbacks of each.
Should You Choose a Rehab Facility or Nursing Home?
Deciding whether to choose a nursing home or rehab facility for your elderly loved one ultimately comes down to their needs. If they need ongoing, around-the-clock care, a nursing home is probably the best option. However, if they are simply trying to recover from an injury or illness in order to get back to being independent, a rehab facility will likely meet their needs.
At the same time, both types of facilities have their own positives and negatives.
Positives and negatives of nursing homes
First, looking at the positives of nursing homes:
- 24/7 professional care and medical assistance.
- Access to rehabilitation and therapy services.
- Socialization and activities with peers.
- Relief for family caregivers.
Now for the negatives:
- Primarily subsidized by some level of government funding, usually Medicare.
- The ratio of staff to patients is usually very low.
- Extremely cost-prohibitive.
- Not every nursing home offers its own in-house rehabilitation services.
Positives and negatives of rehab facilities
Here are some of the positives of rehab facilities:
- Structured, comprehensive treatment programs.
- Access to physical therapy and medical care.
- Socialization and support from peers.
- Trained professionals to provide care and support.
- Opportunity for improved health and independence.
And here are some of the negatives associated with these facilities:
- Can be financially burdensome.
- They offer limited personal privacy.
- There are strict schedules and routines.
- Separation from familiar home environment and loved ones.
- Potential for limited access to preferred therapies and activities.
Again, the ultimate decision comes down to what type of care your elderly loved one needs. While there are numerous options available, choosing the right facility for your loved one could make all the difference in how they are treated.
What Are the Signs of Elder Abuse and Neglect?
The unfortunate reality is that, when you decide to put the care and wellbeing of your elderly loved one in another person’s hands, they can fall victim to abuse or neglect. This is true whether they are in a nursing home or rehab facility. While every situation has its own unique circumstances, there are some warning signs to watch out for if you believe your loved one is being subjected to abuse or neglect at one of these facilities:
- Failure to respond to their requests for assistance
- Improperly giving them medications
- Not responding to concerns about conflicts between them and other residents
- Poor planning when needing to transport them between floors or rooms
- Showing disrespect or poor attitudes toward them or other residents
Liability
Under California law, both the individual caregiver and the facility in which they work can be held liable if it is discovered that they committed elder abuse. Most often, this treatment occurs because of understaffing. Every facility has certain staffing requirements it has to meet in order to maintain the proper level of care for residents. However, most of these facilities also look to cut costs wherever possible, and it usually includes reducing staff as much as possible.
Elder Abuse Victims Can Count On Maison Law
No person should suffer mistreatment at the very facilities that are supposed to provide them with safety and care. However, as more and more elderly patients begin to require care in nursing homes or rehab facilities, the likelihood of abuse or neglect will only increase. At Maison Law, we believe that every person deserves to be treated with respect and adequate care. If you believe that a loved one is being abused or neglected at their care facility, contact us today for a free consultation.
