I Want to Talk with My Dad Who Is Living In a Nursing Home. I Think He Is Being Mistreated. Are There Things I Should Avoid Saying to Him?

Yes, there are things you should avoid saying to your parent when talking about the care he receives in his nursing home. This can be a sensitive topic and a difficult conversation to have. Because of this, it is important that you make sure your dad feels supported and not judged.

In order to achieve this, you should NEVER say things like:

• You look awful
• You smell disgusting
• Those bruises on your body are ugly to look at

The goal of your conversation is to keep it positive and encourage him to open up and talk to you. Instead of starting off a conversation in a negative way, like the examples above, you can bring up his hygiene or bruises in other ways. For tips on the best way to do this, read one of our other frequently asked questions and answers, “How to Have a Tough Conversation with an Aging Parent in a Nursing Home.”

If you suspect your parent is being abused in a nursing facility, contact our offices for a free case evaluation.