Accusations from Old Mother

My elderly mother is not mentally sound, and she accuses the staff of all kinds of bad things.  How can I know if there is any truth in anything she says?

This is a difficult problem and one that comes up frequently.  Firstly, you should listen closely to what your mother is saying. Is she describing specfic incidents or is she speaking generally that her caretakers are somehow trying to damage her?

If there is any independent evidence (such as bruises or statements by other residents), the claim is worth investigating.In some circumstances, it is appropriate to retain the services of a private investigator to observe or record your mother and the nursing home over a period of time.  We might also recommend that you and the children of other residents coordinate a schedule of unplanned visits to make your own observations.