Nursing home abuse becomes the three scariest words to an individual seeking an assisted living facility. Moving into an assisted living facility means giving up a certain amount of independence and freedom as well as leaving behind a home that is loved and filled with memories. Nobody wants to leave their home and enter a nursing home. Facing the possibility of nursing home abuse makes the entire process an even scarier ordeal. Selecting an assisted living facility based on reputation is a place to start. Talking with professionals such as geriatric nurses and doctors, physicians and even psychologists can help in determining whether or not a particular nursing home or assisted living facility carries a low risk of abuse. Selecting the facility that is appropriate for the individual is also a preventative measure. Nursing homes are different from assisted living facilities, and often placing someone in an assisted living facility when they actual belong in a nursing home can set them up for a certain amount of abuse. Assisted living staff does not meet the same training requirements in many states as staff and are more likely to lose their patience with someone who is unable to care at least partially for themselves. Nursing home abuse victims are often seen in hospitals, and often speaking with the nursing staff of the local hospital about a particular assisted living facility can give some indication about whether or not the facility of choice is a high or low risk for abuse. Of course, searching public records online can also benefit, as lawsuits are public record. Thoroughly investigating a facility prior to undergoing placement is crucial in avoiding abuse. Lawyers can also be a valuable reference, as they are typically well aware which nursing homes or assisted living facilities are receiving a high number of complaints and which ones are receiving no complaints at all. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that even with the greatest amount of due diligence that a loved one won't fall victim to nursing home abuse, as it is a horribly rampant problem in our society. In fact, America is rated one of the worst first world societies to grow old in. A general lack of respect for the elderly has contributed greatly to the downfall of our elder care. We, as a society, are happy to warehouse the elderly simply so that we do not have to be reminded of what we may become as our youth escapes us. This is an unacceptable attitude considering these are the people who laid the foundation in one way or another for our very lives to be as they are. Abuse is simply a statement of society's ill concern for the aging. Picking a nursing home or an assisted living facility that combats this general attitude is a huge plus in combating abuse. The local office of the aging and social service programs can also report on the suitability of an assisted living facility. These governmental agencies are able to do this because they have the insider information that allows them to determine whether or not there are open or pending cases of nursing home abuse. They can also testify whether any old cases of abuse were handled well internally. Nursing homes and assisted living facilities that have a good clean record usually come with a higher price tag. It's unfortunate that our elder care is based on assets and income, however, most assisted living facilities that are higher priced are more careful about their reputation. It is not uncommon for people to find the need for an assisted living facility to be urgent in nature, and all too often people are willing to place their loved one in a less than par facility because it was the first available bed. Without due diligence, you have no idea whether or not your loved one is at risk for falling victim to nursing home abuse. Choosing an assisted living facility based entirely on availability is often the one way to ensure that your loved one will be at a higher level of risk for nursing home abuse. Check out assisted living facilities carefully before signing any type of contractual agreement.