Scary Facts about Assisted Living in New Jersey

It’s one thing to notice that senior living communities are not as ‘fun’ or ‘stimulating’ as they claim to be, but when the staff at an assisted living community is downright callous there is definite cause for concern. Adult Care Advisors brings to your attention the harsh reality of some senior care facilities in New Jersey. While there are plenty of communities with safe, comforting and healthy programs, you need to be mindful of the unprofessional and disorganized ones.

Reporters, concerned families and friends have shed light on some alarming stories regarding treatment and care at assisted living facilities. From an indifferent attitude to lack of knowledge, there are plenty of reasons why your senior loved one is not safe in certain assisted living communities. Here is what you need to look out for:

• Understaffing: One of your top questions should be related to the staff-resident ratio. It is unfortunate how often a facility hires too few caregivers to look after an entire floor or building of residents – each with unique demands and needs. This gets exhausting and confusing too quickly and can result in severe – sometimes fatal – illness or injury.
• Transport: Get a clear understanding of how the community’s transport system functions. In horrifying tales, senior residents have been left behind during group outings to fend for themselves in cold and unfamiliar areas. With no food, tracking device or confidence, more than one such instance has resulted in loss of life. Some experts suggest that you organize a wearable GPS device that can help you keep track of your senior parent at any time. 
• Frequent checks and visits: Visit your loved one as often as possible. The constant support and familiar faces are always welcome. Stopping by at meal times will give you a better idea of the kind of nutrition and meals being served. If you aren’t close enough to visit regularly, hire a senior care manager to drop by every once in a while to make sure everything is okay.
• Abuse: Seniors in poorly run assisted living communities face an astonishing amount of abuse. An overworked, underpaid and often untrained caregiver shatters a senior’s confidence with incessant verbal abuse. Although seniors tend to bruise more easily, keep an eye out for bruises that might be the result of physical abuse at the community. Look out for anything unusual – emotional or physical – that might adversely affect quality of life, health or comfort.

 Adult Care Advisors works with senior care facilities day in and day out and our experts can instantly tell the quality assisted living communities from the not-so-good ones. Consult our team to give your loved one a safe and enriching senior adulthood in New Jersey.