Training in Communication Skills Can Lessen Abuse in Nursing Homes

Some nursing home residents have difficulty communicating their needs to staff members due to medical conditions that affect their ability to speak clearly or hear adequately.  New staff members who have not been trained to communicate with residents that have these problems may become frustrated when they don’t understand what a resident needs.  In a facility where these staff members are unsupervised and do not have any senior employees to consult with, this frustration may mount and cause new employees to treat residents harshly or abuse them verbally.  If communication training is provided, employees can be shown alternate methods for communicating with someone who has speech or hearing problems.  Knowing how to communicate properly with residents will take some of the frustration out of their jobs and help new employees care for their residents as best as possible.  Nursing homes can provide specific training in preventing abuse to all employees.  This can include how to prevent abuse from occurring on the part of each employee and how to prevent and report abuse if it is witnessed on the part of colleagues.  Teaching employees how to handle stressful situations will play a big role in helping them to learn how to reduce their frustration and anger in a positive way instead of a way that may result in nursing home abuse or neglect.  Nursing homes should also instruct employees on what to do if they see a coworker abusing a resident in any way.  There should be an anonymous tip line or other anonymous reporting system in place so employees do not have to fear retaliation.  The nursing home should pledge to investigate each report thoroughly and determine if abuse has occurred.  If you feel that a staff member abused your loved one due to a communication issue, contact a San Bernardino nursing home abuse lawyer to find out what you can do to take action.

If you have questions or comments and have concerns about the care a loved on is receiving at a California nursing home facility please feel free to contact Nursing Home Neglect Attorney Michael Young for a FREE NURSING HOME ABUSE CONSULTATION on your nursing home abuse matter. The California Nursing Home Abuse Law Offices of Young and Wallin has offices throughout southern California to serve you including an elder abuse law office in Orange County, Riverside and San Bernardino County. Mr. Young handles nursing home neglect cases throughout the state of California on a case by case basis.