Most nursing home residents are not going to suffer abuse or neglect. The most likely scenario is that your loved one will be adequately looked after by the staff. However, you cannot just assume that is what will happen. You would likely feel devastated if your loved one did suffer neglect or abuse and perhaps feel guilty that you were not more proactive in looking out for it.
Here are some steps you can take to reduce the risk that your loved one suffers harm while in the care of nursing home staff:
Choose wisely
There is plenty of information on the internet that can give you an idea of the quality of care in different nursing homes. You should be able to see if there have been any problematic incidents or unsatisfactory inspection results.
Try and visit in person as much as you can
Regularly going and seeing for yourself how your loved one is doing is best. Having others do the same can relieve some of the stress on you, as finding the time is not always easy, especially if you live far away. Try to make some unannounced visits at odd times, too. That way, you make it harder for staff to anticipate your visit and show off your loved one at their best. You want to get a good idea of how they are being looked after all the time.
Use virtual visits to fill the gaps
Video calls are easy to make these days, giving you a glimpse of your family members while you speak to them. Speaking via telephone alone won’t allow you to pick up visual clues as to their condition and welfare, so video calls are definitely a superior option.
If you do have any worries, bring them up with the care home management straight away and see how they react. If you still have concerns, remember there may be legal options available.