Jasper Personal Injury Law Blog

Going on a summer road trip with your family can be a great bonding experience. You want to ensure the proper safety measures are in place in this case, which will protect your family and make for a more comfortable experience overall. Parents Magazine explains what you can do to prepare for your big excursion this summer. 

Before setting out, make sure your vehicle is equipped with an emergency kit. An emergency kit can help you in case your vehicle breaks down and it takes a while for emergency services to arrive. Your kit should include items for your vehicle, such as jumper cables, flashlight, flares, and a tire jack in the event of a flat. You should also pack a first-aid kit, which can be helpful in the event of minor cuts and scrapes, as well as more serious injuries. 

If your loved one suffers from dementia or Alzheimer's, proper care is crucial. This is especially true for people living in nursing homes, who must receive sufficient dementia care to enjoy a good quality of life. In this case, the Mayo Clinic offers the following recommendations on how caregivers should treat patients experiencing cognitive decline. 

First and foremost, your loved one should be surrounded by a safe and secure environment. The risk of sustaining a serious injury increases when a person has dementia, and it's up to caregivers to prevent accidents from occurring. Nursing homes should be free of clutter, which could pose a falling hazard. Medications and other potentially hazardous items should also be locked away so residents don't inadvertently stumble upon them. Fire safety is also crucial. All nursing homes should be outfitted with the proper fire safety systems, including smoke alarms and fire extinguishers.

If you have made the decision to move a parent or loved one into a nursing home, you likely know that trying to find the right facility can be an emotionally overwhelming process. There are numerous nursing homes and assisted living facilities in Alabama, and choosing the best one may require a lot of time and energy. There are several vital factors to think about when looking for the best residence for your loved one.

Before you start touring facilities, you may want to create a list of the amenities and features that are important to you and your loved one. For example, if your parent is fairly active and social, you may want to look for a facility that offers numerous activities, field trips and social events. If your loved one needs specialized care for issues such as memory loss or diabetes, you may need to choose a nursing home with a large staff of medical providers.

Transferring your family member into a nursing home facility in Alabama is definitely not a decision to take lightly. In fact, you may be facing emotional turmoil as you strive to find a location that will meet your expectations for providing the type of compassionate care you desire for your loved one. 

One of your concerns may be whether or not your family member will be treated humanely by staff members and providers. A common injury in nursing home facilities is bedsores. These painful, sometimes open wounds, are prevalent among patients that are not regularly moved to allow their body to rest from prolonged pressure on the same areas. If your family member is left in a certain position too long, is not able to move independently and suffers from debilitating health conditions, he or she may be at a much higher risk of getting bedsores.