5 Things To Do If You Suspect Nursing Home Abuse Or Neglect
Sometimes, support from family might not be enough. It is sometimes necessary to place a loved one in a nursing home. Some people are placed in nursing homes for a short time, while others are placed in nursing homes permanently. Most nursing home residents live there permanently. Nursing homes are meant to provide a wide range of health and personal care services that residents’ families cannot provide personally. Unfortunately, some nursing homes do not care for residents as expected. Abuse and neglect in nursing homes happen quite a lot. Research shows over 40% of nursing home residents have been abused, and over 90% report neglect.
If you suspect your loved one in a nursing home is a victim of abuse or neglect, you must take action. The following are five things you should do if you suspect nursing home abuse or neglect;
Speak to Your Loved One
Speaking to your loved one privately is one of the best places to start if you suspect they have experienced nursing home abuse or neglect. Your loved one might tell you about their issues at the nursing home. However, they might also choose not to tell you for several reasons. For example, your loved one might not tell you about the issues at the nursing home they feel are causes for concern out of fear or simply because they do not want to worry you.
Question the Nursing Home
If you suspect your loved one in a nursing home is a victim of abuse or neglect, ensure you question the nursing home staff and management. You might find that what you think is abuse or neglect is actually not. Questioning them might also help you confirm your suspicions. The staff and management should be able and willing to explain any situation you ask them about. If the staff and management are unwilling to cooperate, you can speak to the nursing home ombudsman. Most nursing homes have an ombudsman who handles any complaints a resident or their loved ones may have. An ombudsman’s job is to ensure that residents get the best care possible.
Gather Evidence
One of the things that result in nursing home abuse and neglect is understaffing. If you visit your loved one’s nursing home facility and notice that it looks understaffed, ensure you keep a record of that observation. If your loved one has bruises on their body that might indicate physical abuse, ensure you take pictures of those bruises. It is crucial that you collect evidence when addressing nursing home abuse and neglect issues.
File a Complaint
If you suspect your loved one in a nursing home is a victim of abuse or neglect, file a report with the proper authorities. In South Carolina, you can report nursing home abuse and neglect cases to the Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC).
Consult a Lawyer
Last but definitely not least, contact a lawyer if you suspect your loved one in a nursing home has been the victim of abuse or neglect. Your loved one may be entitled to compensation under the law. You may also be entitled to compensation.
Contact a Charleston Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
If you suspect your loved one in a South Carolina nursing home has suffered abuse or neglect, contact the skilled and dedicated Charleston nursing home abuse lawyer at Gus Anastopoulo Law Firm.
Source:
scdhec.gov/healthcare-quality/health-facility-regulations-licensing-con/medicaid-medicare-certification-2
