The majority of people in nursing homes are vulnerable. Nursing homes have a legal duty to provide a reasonable standard of care. For the most part, this is what happens.
However, there are occasions when nursing homes fall short of their duty of care. Abuse is a real problem in nursing home facilities and it’s important to recognize the signs of abuse and the best ways to report it.
Here are some key steps to reporting nursing home abuse.
Gather evidence
It is important to report the abuse to nursing home management as soon as possible. Having evidence will strengthen your case. The types of evidence you may present include:
- Written notes about abuse you’ve seen or been told about.
- The specific times and dates of notable incidents.
- Photographs of any injuries.
Request an internal investigation
Once you have reported nursing home abuse, the facility’s management must investigate. You are entitled to be updated on the investigation’s progress and receive a detailed report when the investigation has concluded.
Report the abuse to the relevant authorities
In some cases, an internal investigation may not suffice. For instance, severe cases of physical violence may be a police matter.
If you are unhappy with the internal response or investigation, you can report the abuse to the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program or Adult Protective Services (APS). Nursing home abuse is a serious issue and your loved ones should not have to suffer it. To ensure that you report the abuse to the right people, it may help to seek some legal guidance.
