Reporting Nursing Home Abuse

Many individuals trust nursing homes and assisted living facilities to provide them with the best possible health care.

Sometimes these institutions fail to meet the expected standard of care, resulting in nursing home abuse, including physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, and financial exploitation.

Do you believe that you or a loved one has been a victim of nursing home abuse? If so, it is crucial to report it immediately.

The nursing home abuse lawyers at Nursing Home Law Center, LLC can help you file a lawsuit against the abuser and get the financial compensation you deserve to pay for medical bills and other expenses.

Contact us today toll-free at (800) 926-7565 to schedule a free legal case review to explore your legal options. All confidential or sensitive information you share with our legal team remains private through an attorney-client relationship.

how-to-report-nursing-home-abuse

The Agencies Where You Can Report Nursing Home Abuse Complaints

The options for reporting abuse include:

The Local Police

You can report suspected abuse to your local police by calling 911. It’s crucial to report nursing home abuse immediately if it is life-threatening.

State's Adult Protective Services (APS)

APS is a state agency investigating reports of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of adults who cannot protect themselves due to physical or mental limitations.

The Nursing Home Ombudsmen

It’s a state-sponsored program that advocates for the rights of residents. The ombudsman works to resolve complaints and improve the quality of care in long-term care facilities.

The program is staffed by a government official who listens to residents’ concerns and helps resolve them. The ombudsman also works with nursing facility staff to improve the quality of care.

Eldercare Locator

The Eldercare Locator is a public service of the U.S. Administration on Aging. It connects people with services for older adults and their families.

Their phone number is 1-800-677-1116 and the website is Eldercare Locator

The National Center on Elder Abuse

The National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) is a resource center dedicated to raising awareness about elder abuse and providing information, resources, and referrals to prevent it.Their phone number is 1-855-500-3537 (ELDR) and the website is https://ncea.acl.gov/

The Administration for Community Living (ACL)

ACL is a program that provides services and support to elderly persons and people with disabilities. The program is designed to meet the needs of the individual and to promote independence and community involvement.

Their phone number is (202) 401-4634 and the website is: https://acl.gov/

The U.S Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

You can also report nursing home abuse complaints to your state's Department of Social Services or health. The HHS is a federal government agency responsible for protecting all Americans' health and providing essential human health services.

Medical professionals

Medical professionals who work in nursing homes have a unique perspective on the residents' lives. They often see things that family members and friends do not see. Medical experts can report elder abuse or neglect via an online complaint form on the website of the HHS.

Nursing Home Complaints

The nursing home resident's quality of life and well-being should always be the top priorities for nursing facility staff and administrators. However, Poor care in long-term care facilities is a hidden problem in every state.

Complaints filed with the local authorities are one way to report nursing home abuse. The proper authorities may begin an investigation to scrutinize the nursing home to determine if the abuse report is valid.

Many states have laws requiring care providers to report abuse issues, whether physical, emotional, sexual, or financial.

Nursing home patients and their families should be aware that professional medical advice and support are available to help protect their rights.

What to Include When Reporting an Elder’s Mistreatment

When reporting abuse, be sure to include as much detail as possible such as the name and contact information of the facility, the name of the abuser, the name of the victim, and a description of the mistreatment that occurred.

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Role in Nursing Facilities

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) maintains a website that provides information about every nursing home facility in the United States. The website includes the name and address of each nursing home and a star rating system that grades the quality of care provided.

Reporting Nursing Home Abuse

Reporting nursing home elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation is vital to protecting the health and wellbeing of our nation's seniors.

Family members of assisted living facility residents who suspect their loved ones are being abused should take immediate action. They can contact the management of the facility and express their concerns.

Reporting nursing home abuse and neglect in living facilities can be challenging to do. You want to make sure that you take the appropriate steps to protect your loved ones from poor care while not jeopardizing their safety.

You should report negligence or abuse to nursing home residents if you see any of the following: bedsores, pressure ulcers, dehydration, or not receiving enough food or water.

A social worker investigates nursing home abuse if they reasonably suspect that something is going on.

Typical Victims in Nursing Homes

The victims of nursing home abuse are typically the elderly and other physically challenged residents who require constant care and supervision. Often, they cannot communicate their experiences or report the abuse due to physical or mental limitations.

Victims of nursing home abuse are often frail and sometimes unable to speak up for themselves when abuse occurs, making them an easy target for abusers.

Nursing Home Abuse Statistics

According to a study conducted by the National Center on Elder Abuse in 2018, it is estimated that between 1 and 2 million Americans age 65 or older have been injured, exploited, or otherwise mistreated by someone on whom they depended for care or protection.

Approximately 1 in 10 people who live in nursing care centers will experience some form of abuse, and more than 1 in 25 will be injured due to that abuse.

Elder exploitation, abuse, and neglect are serious problems in the United States. According to the National Elder Abuse Incidence Study, 1 in 10 older adults experiences abuse each year.

Staff members at nursing home care facilities must provide quality care for nursing home residents. Abuse and neglect can have a lasting impact on a person's life.

Signs of Nursing Home Abuse

Some possible signs of nursing home abuse include:

  • Negative changes in a resident's mood or behavior
  • Unexplained bruises or injuries
  • Sudden changes in weight
  • Unkempt appearance or poor hygiene
  • Bedsores

An older person receiving poor care in a nursing home may be victim of abuse or neglect. Therefore confidential reporting of elder abuse is vital in protecting them as regulatory authorities will follow up and investigate reports of abuse.

Getting Evidence of Nursing Home Abuse Complaints

The following are some tips on how to document and report nursing home abuse complaints:

  • Take pictures or videos of the injuries that can be helpful evidence in taking action against the abuser
  • Report the mistreatment to the nursing home staff and administrators. Be sure to document who you spoke with and when
  • If the mistreatment is not stopped, contact law enforcement or APS. Be sure to have all of your documentation with you when you make the report.

Hiring a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer to Pursue an Elder Abuse Case

Has your loved one been the victim of nursing home abuse? If so, it is essential to take legal action.

Contact our elder abuse attorneys swiftly to discuss your case and determine what legal steps to take to protect your loved one from immediate danger.

Nursing home abuse should not be tolerated, and we are here to offer you legal help to hold abusers accountable for their actions. Contact us today toll-free at (800) 926-7565 for a free case review.

Our nursing home abuse lawyers at the Nursing Home Law Center, LLC operate on a contingency fee basis, so you don't have to pay us unless we win your case.

Resources:

Client Reviews

★★★★★
Jonathan did a great job helping my family navigate through a lengthy lawsuit involving my grandmother's death in a nursing home. Through every step of the case, Jonathan kept my family informed of the progression of the case. Although our case eventually settled at a mediation, I really was impressed at how well prepared Jonathan was to take the case to trial. Lisa
★★★★★
After I read Jonathan’s Nursing Home Blog, I decided to hire him to look into my wife’s treatment at a local nursing home. Jonathan did a great job explaining the process and the laws that apply to nursing homes. I immediately felt at ease and was glad to have him on my side. Though the lawsuit process was at times frustrating, Jonathan reassured me, particularly at my deposition. I really felt like Jonathan cared about my wife’s best interests, and I think that came across to the lawyers for the nursing home. Eric