Sending a loved one to a nursing home is not an easy decision, but you may have to do it to ensure the best care for them. However, there is a possibility of an exactly opposite outcome. Nursing home abuse cases are widely prevalent in the country, and the statistics are alarming. The sad part is that the elderly may not even be aware of being abused, so reporting it is out of the question.
The pandemic worsened the situation as people were locked up at home and didn’t get a chance to visit their aging relatives in these facilities. But even as the number of such incidents increases, the growing awareness is a silver lining. People are more proactive about protecting their loved ones and act on the slightest sign of suspicion. Let us explain the steps you should take if you see signs of nursing home abuse.
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Note the potential signs
Being vigilant is the key because seniors are seldom able to open up about abuse or neglect by caregivers. You must watch for hints indicating mistreatment. The physical signs include injuries like cuts and bruises, unkempt appearance, unexplained weight loss, and untreated illnesses and injuries. Besides these evident indications, look for subtle signs about things being wrong in the facility. Unexplained sexually transmitted diseases, negative emotional changes such as fear, confusion, depression, and strange financial transactions are some reasons to worry. You should not overlook these signs, but ensure to take notes, including the dates and details. The information can be valuable down the line when you decide to report abuse.
Call 911 in an emergency
You must call 911 without delay if your loved one seems to be in immediate or life-threatening danger. The abused person may require immediate medical attention in such cases. Calling 911 gets them the care they need. Also, it alerts the police to begin an investigation to hold the nursing home and its caregivers criminally accountable for the incident. But you will have to take a different route if the aging relative does not seem to be in immediate danger. In these cases, you will have to report your concerns through other means.
Get evidence to support your claim
You cannot just report abuse or neglect out of the blue without anything to support your statements. Gathering evidence to support your claim is the key to strengthening it and establishing the guilt of the facility and its staff. The best piece of advice is to bring a seasoned nursing home abuse attorney on board sooner than later. They can help you gather relevant and adequate evidence to catch the abusers red-handed and ensure action against them. Here are some ways to get valid and valuable evidence –
- Ask your loved one about their mistreatment if they can talk about it, note important dates, and write down their responses
- Get medical records and photos showing possible signs of abuse, such as bruises, burns, injuries, bedsores, and infections
- Record unexplained changes in your loved one’s behavior, mood, and weight
- Keep track of suspicious financial transactions such as withdrawal of cash and payment of bills for unexplained services
- Note any other anomalous sign, action, or behavior of the senior or caregivers
Remember to take complaints of mistreatment seriously, even if the person reporting suffers from cognitive issues like Alzheimer’s disease. Once you have the evidence at hand, it is time to go ahead with a formal complaint.
Contact a nursing home ombudsman
Each state runs a nursing home ombudsman program to advocate the rights of nursing home residents and look after their best interests. The program also works to resolve problems with appropriate action when a facility is reported. The ombudsman’s office will check your story and evidence, so ensure you have enough to establish facts. While these authorities address the issues, you may have to report the case to law enforcement if your loved one has been through a more severe form of crime. Further, a nursing home lawyer can help you claim compensation to cover the medical costs for treatment or financial exploitation your relative may have sustained. Paying a legal expert is worthwhile as they ensure justice for your loved one and punishment for the caregivers and facility. If you need assistance, you can reach out to Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys for help.
Protecting your loved one from nursing home abuse or neglect should be a priority. But everything boils down to being watchful enough to detect a problem in the first place. You must also take a proactive approach and report it sooner than later to prevent further trouble for the senior.
