What to Do if You Suspect Abuse in a Nursing Home
The decision to place your parents, grandparents, or loved one to a nursing home can be a difficult decision. There are so many questions and concerns that you will have. If you decide that it is a good option for everyone involved, let’s take a look at how to safeguard your loved one from abuse.
Table of Contents
Before Being Placed In the Nursing Home
Have a medical professional outside of the facility evaluate their health. This can be a doctor, nurse practitioner, or an RN. You will need someone who is medically qualified with experience.
This will show the before condition of the patient so that everyone is on the same page. This is important because it will help everyone involve see the quality or lack of at the nursing home.
Common signs of neglect or bed sores, bruises, and dehydration. If you can prove that the patient did not have either of those conditions before, but they currently do, you may be able to establish signs of neglect.
Regular Medical Checks During the Patients Stay
Again, you will want an outside opinion of how things are going. A medical professional should evaluate them to ensure that they are being properly looked after.
This care should entail, a physical evaluation looking for signs of dehydrating, bruises, cleanliness, and bed sores. This also may include bloodwork.
If There are Signs of Neglect or Abuse
As soon as any signs appear, it is time to get involved. Ask a medical profession to evaluate what you believe to be neglect or abuse. They will thoroughly evaluate the patient. If they feel that it is possible, they are required by law to report it.
You should also report them to the Adult Protective ServiceS, Long-Term Care Ombudsman, the police. You will have to show proof so be prepared. This is the time when your before and during care evaluations will be important.
The police department, as well as, the other agencies will make a report. This report will include and interview with you, the patients doctors, the nursing home, and any other important witnesses. There should also be photos of the patient taken for evidence.
What’s Next
If you’ve had to make a report, it is time to get legal help. Choose a law firm that specializes in elder law, like Garcia, Artigliere & Medby Elder Abuse Lawyers. There is going to be a lot of things that happen that you will need to prepare for. Your attorney will be able to guide you through this time and help you find resolution.
Having a loved one in a nursing home can be a delicate and scary time. Elder abuse is becoming more common so you must be on the lookout for abuse or neglect. The best thing you can do is to be prepared, have regular check ups, and have a plan if you think something is going on. Do not be afraid to report the facility if you believe that there is abuse occuring.
