In an assisted-living facility, the idea is that the elderly don’t need as much help as if they were in a nursing home. They retain some of their independence, but they’re still monitored by people who can help them when needed.
The trouble with assisted-living facilities is that the providers can be negligent or harmful to their patients under the wrong circumstances. For example, a patient who is getting to the point of needing nursing care might still only be checked in on a few times a day per the original care plan, even though they actually need more help.
It is difficult to choose to place a loved one in an assisted-living facility, but it can be even harder to know when to move them to a nursing home or more advanced care setting. The people who are caring for your loved one may need to be the ones who suggest that their care isn’t enough. If they aren’t checking in regularly or completing tasks as desired, then it might be hard for you to know the state of your loved one’s health and to accurately gauge their ability to live somewhat independently.
Nursing homes are meant to provide a higher level of care than assisted-living facilities, but that doesn’t mean that a person should go unattended in an assisted-living community. There are still things they may need help with, like with showering or cleaning the home, that the staff should take care of. If your loved one deteriorates in this setting due to a lack of care, then you may be able to file a claim.
