Over the last few decades, elder abuse has become an increasingly prevalent issue in the United States. It's estimated that over a million elderly Americans have been victims of physical, mental, financial, or emotional elderly abuse by an in-home care provider, and the prevalence of this problem continues to grow exponentially along with the number of elderly Americans in need of care. The decision to hire a caregiver for an elderly loved one is one many people will face in their lives. While we would like to be able to provide full-time care ourselves, the reality is that this is not always possible. This decision is a trying one, but there are a number of steps you can take to ensure that your loved one is being provided with the highest quality of care, whether in-home or at a nursing home.

There are several precautions to take before hiring an in-home private caretaker. Before scheduling an interview, make sure to call the applicant's references. Ask any questions you have about the quality of care provided by the applicant. Perform a criminal background check on the applicant and check their academic records. Once you've completed these steps, prepare some questions to ask and conduct an interview with your loved one and the applicant. At this time, monitor the interactions between your loved one and the applicant. After you've found a caregiver, stop in at random times to check up on your loved one.

When choosing a long-term care facility for your loved one, first do a background check on the facility by checking with local and state regulating agencies for any past complaints filed against the agency, for example, they may sometimes want to bring pets with them and this may result in a dog bite injury. Then, stop by the facility unannounced and ask for a tour. Ask about staff credentials and talk to some of the staff about their philosophy of care. Talk to some of the patients and ask their opinion on the facility and the care they're given. Once you've placed your loved one in a care facility, continue to make unscheduled visits to observe the quality of care.

Once you've chosen, monitor your loved one regularly for any unexplained bruises or scars. Also be aware of psychological changes such as withdrawal or changes in your loved one's personality or behavior. If you notice any cause for concern, contact an injury lawyer immediately to inquire about elder abuse personal injury lawsuits. Elder abuse is preventable. If you take all the necessary precautions, your loved one doesn't have to be a victim.