If you have a family member in a nursing home, you would expect to receive periodic updates on them and their current condition. Understandably, it can be concerning if you are not receiving updates from a nursing home about a loved one.
There could be various reasonable explanations for the lack of communication, such as occupied staff, communication protocols and technical issues. However, these may not always be the case.
When should you be concerned?
While there are acceptable reasons for the lack of updates about your loved one in a nursing home, a consistent lack of communication can be a red flag. It may be a manifestation of any of the following:
- Neglect or poor care: Lack of communication might indicate that your loved one is not receiving the attention they need, and the nursing home may not be actively monitoring and caring for their residents as they should.
- Staffing issues: Poor communication might reflect understaffing or overworked staff, which can directly impact the quality of care provided to residents.
- Lack of transparency: Consistent lack of updates could suggest that the facility is trying to cover up issues or problems. Otherwise, they would not have a problem communicating their operations and the well-being of residents to their respective families.
Other root causes of a nursing home’s infrequent or lack of updates may include legal and regulatory compliance issues and resource limitations on communication channels.
What should your next move be?
If you are consistently experiencing communication issues with a nursing home, it is important to address your concerns directly with the facility’s management. If the problem persists, consider contacting state regulatory agencies or seeking advice from a legal representative experienced in handling cases of nursing home abuse and neglect.