Your mother is getting older and can’t drive. She can’t live alone and it’s unsafe for her to do so. However, she cannot be moved into your home.

Nursing homes offer the best options for elderly care, especially for those Americans who are in this same situation. According to The United States Government Accountability Office, 43% of Americans 65 and older will spend some time in a nursing home. The U.S. Census Bureau predicts that by 2050, there will be 89 million Americans over 65. This means that elder care services will continue to increase in demand.

Many adult family homes and nursing homes are overwhelmed, which can lead to lower quality care. Many media reports include cases of elder neglect and elder abuse in nursing homes.

Nadra McSherry, an adult resident of a Tacoma family home, died from pain after her caregivers failed to tell her family, doctor, or nurse that McSherry had an infected bed sore. Bedsores can be a sign of a lack of staff. They are caused by the need to move patients around every few hours. This is something that may prove difficult for overwhelmed caregivers.

McSherry’s relatives sued Narrows View Manor, McSherry’s adult family home, and the Department of Social and Health Services. The latter allowed the home to continue operating despite many past health violations.

“Stories like Nadra McSherry are all too familiar,”Tony Shapiro from Hagens Berman is the lead attorney. “It’s up to the families to take action and protect their mom or dad.”

McSherry’s family settled for $565,000. McSherry’s family settled last year for $565,000. It is still in business.

Families looking for elder care may check the Centers for Medicare or Medicaid Services’ Nursing Home Compare ratings. This rating evaluates homes on the basis of a five-star scale. However, the ratings may not be reliable and families need to closely monitor their loved ones’ care. Families should take immediate action if a loved one exhibits signs of abuse such as unexplained injuries or dramatic weight loss.

“If you suspect abuse, check online resources for help or consult an attorney,” says Shapiro.