Who Investigates Nursing Home Abuse?

For every reported case of elder abuse, there are approximately 24 unreported cases. Recognizing and acting on signs of elder abuse can be difficult, especially when the victim is reluctant to come forward with accusations. There are myriad reasons why this may be the case, from shame, dependance on the abuser, fear of retaliation, lack of cognitive abilities caused by diseases like dementia and Alzheimer’s, and more.

The Staggering Scale of Elder Abuse in Nursing Homes

Nursing home abuse remains one of the most pressing concerns for older Americans. Studies conducted over the past few decades have found that at least 10% of adults 60 years old and above experienced some form of abuse every year, with that number spiking as high as 20% of older adults suffering some form of abuse through the COVID-19 lockdown and subsequent months. While those figures seem to have dropped closer to pre-pandemic levels, they remain shockingly high.

Who Investigates Abuse in Nursing Home Facilities?

Despite the overall lack of reporting of this type of abuse, there are people in positions of power who can step in and handle investigations into both individual bad actors and entire nursing homes to see if there are underlying issues perpetuating these problems. The key parties responsible for investigating allegations of abuse in nursing homes include:

• Law Enforcement: In cases where possible criminal activity is involved, law enforcement will likely be a part of the investigation. Calling 911 is especially relevant when someone is in immediate danger.
• State agencies: Some states maintain agencies that specialize in investigating nursing homes for violations and abuse. All homes certified through Medicare or Medicaid are required to meet certain standards in order to continue receiving funding, and there are offices and agencies in place that can investigate any allegations brought forward.
• Long-term care ombudsman: This program is in place to advocate for residents of long-term care facilities, including nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and more. The individuals filling this role are responsible for ensuring residents of these facilities receive the care they need and can help direct complaints and allegations to organizations that can help.
• Adult protective services: While the specific name can vary from state to state, many have individuals and agencies in place to investigate and report abuse.
• Nursing home abuse attorneys: In many cases, there may be a need to seek external legal representation to investigate abuse and file a lawsuit to secure compensation for damages caused to the victim. An experienced firm will do a full investigation and put together a plan of action that can help you secure the legal outcome you need.

Understanding who to reach out to if you or a loved one is experiencing any form of elder abuse can be difficult without the right resources. In addition to reporting abuse through official channels, you may be able to take legal action to both protect and secure compensation for the damage caused by the abuse. In these cases, seeking legal representation can help give you a better idea of your options and what steps you need to take to move forward.