While it is true that there are differences in salary and coursework required to obtain each nursing license, the differences you should focus on are the practical ones, like duties and responsibilities. Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) are responsible for most of the day-to-day patient care, such as observation, giving baths, feeding, preparing medical injections, and so on. It is important to know that LPNs cannot make any independent decisions regarding patient care; they must work under the direction of RNs.

Registered nurses (RNs) are the ones that administer medicine; an LPN is never to give medicine to patients. RNs also formulate patient care plans in conjunction with the doctor, and they are allowed to make patient care decisions independently if needed. If you ever have a question about medications or why certain decisions are made regarding a patient, ask the RN.

Now that you know the difference between LPNs and RNs, you can be more acutely aware of how each nurse is supposed to treat and care for your loved one.

If you have talked with the administration and do not feel that the situation has been resolved, you can contact your states Administration for the Aging. This is a government office that has a primary focus of protecting the elderly population. This office is required because often times the elderly can no longer properly care for themselves and must go into a nursing home or have someone come in to help them out and they can no longer make decisions for themselves. The Administration for Aging believes that no one should have to be abused or neglected and should be safe.

Broken hips in nursing homes may require surgery by an orthopedic specialist, followed by months of rehabilitation, especially during the critical first six months. In addition to a program of physical therapy to help the patient recover, the nursing home is also required to address any emotional side effects of the broken hip such as depression. The patient’s nursing home room must be made as safe as possible, including tacked down rugs, adequate lighting and grab bars that can help prevent unnecessary falls resulting in hip fractures.

Another sign that your loved one needs long-term care is that they cannot really control their bowel movements. If your loved one is having uncontrollable bowel movements often, then they are going to need somebody to look after them for a long time, and often too.
When your loved one’s eye sight gets worse, then it may be time to get them long-term care. Your loved one will need help with many different types of tasks, and getting them long-term care will help them complete tasks easier.

One of the top signs that your loved one needs long-term care is bad hygiene. If your loved one is having a hard time bathing themselves, brushing their teeth, or can’t maintain proper hygiene, then they are going to need somebody to help them often with their hygiene.

If your loved one suffers from a disability, and it gets worse, then it is best to get them long-term care. An elderly person with a disability usually needs to be cared for often, and looked after constantly.

Sign1 – Memory. Are they suddenly forgetful, afraid, or confused? Perhaps aware that something is wrong, but keep it to themselves.
Sign2 – Impaired Skills. Bad judgment and the inability to make good choices. Maybe in the early stages of Alzheimer’s where they wander off, get lost or drive someplace unknown to them.
Sign3 – Danger. Not able to recognize danger for themselves. Unaware of steps or stairs or not turning off a gas stove or appliances.
Sign4 – Isolation. Failure to recognize others and difficulty following a conversation. Mental and physical decline.
Sign5 – Daily Activities. Medications, feeding themselves, dressing and hygiene and mobility.

• Providing direct services and resources across the country
• Advocating for laws and public policy that will secure victim’s rights, resources, and protection
• Deliver training and technical assistance to victim service organizations, allied health professionals, attorneys, and criminal justice organizations
• Foster innovative thinking about the impact of crime and the best way victims can be helped to rebuild their lives

The organization’s link pertaining to elder abuse is full of helpful information from background history on the topic to a list of references and resources to become better informed. If you believe in the adage that information is power, this is one powerful source for exactly that.

Physical Abuse: Use of force to threaten or physically injure a vulnerable elderEmotional Abuse: Verbal attacks, threats, rejection, isolation, or belittling acts that cause or could cause mental anguish, pain, or distress to a seniorSexual Abuse: Sexual contact that is forced, tricked, threatened, or otherwise coerced upon a vulnerable elder, including anyone who is unable to grant consentExploitation: Theft, fraud, misuse or neglect of authority, and use of undue influence as a lever to gain control over an older person’s money or propertyNeglect: A caregiver’s failure or refusal to provide for a vulnerable elder’s safety, physical, or emotional needsAbandonment: Desertion of a frail or vulnerable elder by anyone with a duty of careSelf?Neglect: The inability to understand the consequences of one’s own actions or inaction, which leads to, or may lead to, harm or endangerment

We’ll cover some of these in more detail in upcoming posts, but wanted to get the broad brush stroke out there should you be concerned about the types of abuse while also pointing you to the center for a point of reference.