5 Things to Do if You Suspect Nursing Home Abuse

Signs of nursing home abuse are not easy to spot. Victims are often afraid to speak out, making matters worse.

According to Bogdan Martinovich, it is important to recognize signs of physical abuse and differentiate those from wounds caused by treatment or accident. He gives many examples on what to look out for such as severe skin tears and bruising. Another example is looking at the severity and shape of the burn to try to determine if it is from hot coffee or other accident or a malicious act like a cigarette on the skin.

Knowing and understanding the signs of abuse is the first and most important thing. Being able to recognize the signs will allow you to move forward with your claim.

If the situation is not an emergency, take some time to gather as much information as you can to support your case.

• Take photos of the injuries or conditions of concern
• Gather medical records
• Speak to other residents and caregivers

The above-listed signs may be an indication of abuse, but they can also be the result of something else entirely. It is important to get all of the facts before stepping forward with allegations.

The next step is to file a complaint with the state agency that regulates nursing homes. This will initiate an official investigation.

Use the state resources page of the National Center on Elder Abuse to determine the appropriate authorities to report to. There may be a hotline, or you may have several contact methods to choose from, including websites and addresses.

Next, talk to an attorney who is familiar with nursing home neglect and abuse and has represented victims of abuse.

It's important to act quickly if you plan to take action against the nursing home, as each state has a limit on when complaints can be filed.

An attorney will ensure that the lawsuit is filed on time and will represent your best interests.

If the nursing home does not take action to address the issue and your concerns are substantiated, have your loved one removed from the facility and brought to a place where they can receive the care they need.

The safety of your loved one is of the utmost importance, so ensure they are placed in a facility that will receive the care they deserve. 

More information and guide on elder financial abuse and exploitation, which highlights what are the top elder financial exploitation, how important it is to be aware of the current threats and how to deal with them.