How To Report Nursing Home Abuse

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 1.3 million people live in nursing homes. At least 10% of those individuals suffer some kind of abuse per this study published by the National Library of Medicine. Unfortunately, these crimes often go unreported, making nursing home abuse a serious concern.

Sometimes, the victim may feel intimidated or fearful of retribution from the perpetrator. Other times, the family members and others might not realize that there is abuse taking place at the residential home.

For that reason, everyone should be vigilant and learn about the signs of physical, emotional, financial, and sexual abuse, along with neglect, of nursing home residents. When you report these instances, you can put an end to this ill-treatment and bring back the respect and dignity that your loved one and others deserve.

Let’s look at a few steps you will want to take to report nursing home abuse.

Reach Out to Staff Members

If you notice bedsores, physical injuries, or missing belongings, you must immediately report the instance to the home’s staff. These individuals can include:

• Nurses
• Doctors
• Supervisors or directors of nursing
• Administration members

These individuals are your first line of defense. Even though it is not an excuse, sometimes, they may not be aware that incidents of abuse are taking place in their facilities.

In most cases, once you launch a complaint, there should be a thorough investigation. During this time, the nursing home will examine whether there is a reasonable explanation for your concerns. Usually, the alleged abuser will be placed on leave until the investigation is over.

If they have concluded that a nursing home member is responsible for the abuse, that individual will immediately be removed from the facility. In many situations, this individual will face charges from law enforcement if it is determined they have committed a criminal act.

File a Grievance

If your loved one resides in a Medicare- or Medicaid-certified home, then grievance procedures can be implemented according to Medicare. If you believe that your loved one has suffered abuse, you can file a verbal or written grievance no more than 60 days after the event.

Within the grievance, you must provide details about the incident. At this time, an investigation will verify the facts of the case, resulting in some type of resolution. However, these instances can go unresolved, and you may want to pursue further action against the staff and nursing home administration team.

Discuss the Incident With Law Enforcement

Abuse not only takes away the rights and dignity of the residents, but it borders on criminal offenses. Anyone who believes that their loved one has suffered mistreatment at the hands of their caretakers should report nursing home abuse to their local enforcement. By doing this, they can have an external source investigate the matter.

Law enforcement will often collect evidence and determine whether to press charges against the guilty parties. While this can take care of the criminal aspect of the abuse, those who have been affected by it also have the right to file a civil lawsuit against all negligent parties.

Other Reporting Sources

If you are not happy with the result of an investigation, you can also contact several other agencies or advocates to help on your behalf. They include.

• Long-term care ombudsman: Many nursing homes will have a long-term care ombudsman. This individual is responsible for ensuring residents get the quality care they need. If there is a complaint, they can also help point you in the right direction to resolve it. These advocates are also available to help protect the rights of all rewinds in the facility.
• Nursing home or senior-focused state agency: Some states have a specialized agency that can investigate these incidents and protect residents’ rights. Many agencies also conduct regular surveys in these nursing homes. Additionally, Medicare and Medicaid-certified homes must meet certain standards to continue receiving funding from those programs. Raising concerns about the welfare of residents could start an investigation into the nursing home.
• Adult protective services: Some states have Adult Protective Services (the name may vary depending on your state). These individuals help those older and dependent adults who cannot meet their needs. They can investigate reports of abuse in nursing home settings.
• National Center on Elder Abuse: On a national level, you may want to contact the local chapter of the NCEA. Their assistance can help you get the information you need to make a report and ensure the right people are in charge of your complaint.
• Nursing home abuse lawyer: For those who want to look at their legal options, you may want to reach out to a nursing home abuse attorney. During a consultation, they can help you find a way to take actionable steps to report what happened.

Discovering that your loved one is being abused in a nursing home is a terrible reality for many people. We can all do our part to help make sure every resident lives in a safe and protected environment. Knowing how to report nursing home abuse is the first steps to restoring the dignity of this vulnerable sector of our population.