Steps You Can Take To Report A Nursing Home Abuse

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Personal Injury Lawyer

A trip to visit your aging parent in the nursing home should be one that fills you with joy. Instead, if you find yourself feeling like something is wrong or off, you should not ignore it. Sometimes, there may be misconduct or negligence happening behind closed doors. While you may spot some of the physical indications of abuse, there are also invisible indicators that things are amiss. If you find yourself wondering about how your parent is being treated when you aren’t there, you may want to get help. Here are some of the steps you can take to ensure your parent is safe.

Nursing Home Director

If you have suspicions that something is wrong with your parent, you may want to take it up with the nursing home director first. The reaction to your report may help you gauge the level of care at the facility. There are times where the director is not aware that staff members are not doing their jobs. Make an appointment to see the director if possible and bring your list of concerns. Document the steps the director sets out for rectifying any issues you raise.

Physicians

Someone who should be able to spot the physical signs of abuse is your parent’s physician. There are some clear physical indicators of nursing home abuse or neglect, including:

  • Skin ulcers or bedsores
  • Injuries in all stages of healing
  • Malnutrition
  • Frequent illness or infection

If you suspect that your parent is not being cared for or abused, you may want to make an appointment with the physician and get things checked out. The doctor has an ethical duty to report abuse indications.

Police

Your local authorities may be your first or last call if you believe your parent is being abused. The police must come out and do a full report. As part of their investigation, they will interview the staff, administration and even other residents. There may be other reports for the same facility that you do not know about. The police will also call elder services, a sector of social services. Eldercare social workers can drop in and monitor your parent for continuing signs of abuse or neglect in your absence.

All aging people deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. If you have a strong suspicion that there is something wrong at your parent’s care facility, a consultation with a lawyer, may be warranted. An advocate who knows the system may be just the person you need on your side.