Nursing home abuse and neglect can result in serious harm or death to vulnerable residents. It’s essential to report nursing home abuse to protect your loved one and hold facilities accountable for their actions. Learn how to report a nursing home and what other options you may have to get justice for your loved one’s suffering.
To anonymously report a nursing home, contact your local Department of Health. This ensures your privacy is protected while taking action.
Nursing home abuse is a serious crime that can quickly worsen and even turn deadly if not stopped. However, there are many ways to report nursing home abuse, from local state agencies to national organizations.
These are some ways to report nursing home abuse:
Understanding how to anonymously report a nursing home typically requires contacting state-specific agencies.
Each state has regulations that protect the identities of anyone reporting nursing home abuse unless they agree to come forward or a court orders them to do so. They are also shielded from retaliation or legal action.
By reporting suspected abuse, you can help ensure an investigation is started to check on the well-being of an older person living in a care facility. You may even be able to hold nursing facilities legally accountable if they harmed your loved one.
For immediate danger or a medical emergency, dial 911 to report nursing home abuse and get help right away.
If you have additional questions about how to anonymously report a nursing home, our team at the Nursing Home Abuse Center is here to help. Connect with us right now.
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If you suspect that someone is experiencing abuse or neglect in a nursing home or other long-term care facility, it’s essential to act quickly to protect them.
Multiple hotlines for reporting nursing home abuse are available, offering guidance and support tailored to your location.
These hotlines provide a way to report abuse and connect with the proper authorities:
Calling these hotlines can start an investigation and connect you with the right resources to help. Reporting abuse quickly protects vulnerable people and helps prevent it from happening again.
It’s critical to know about your options to report nursing home abuse so you can find the best resources that will help your loved one.
Learn about some key contacts and resources below.
You can report a nursing home to your state’s ombudsman through the National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center. From there, your concerns and complaints can be addressed through an investigation.
A nursing home ombudsman protects the rights of residents and resolves health care and safety issues in long-term care facilities. An ombudsman serves as a middleman between facilities and residents.
A nursing home ombudsman is responsible for:
All states and several U.S. territories were granted a long-term care ombudsman program under the 1978 amendments to the Older Americans Act (OAA), which aims to protect the rights and well-being of older adults.
You can report nursing home abuse through local authorities like the police or your state’s APS branch.
The police can help you take immediate action if a resident has been seriously harmed or passed away due to abuse.
Law enforcement can file criminal charges for:
Call your local APS if you believe your loved one might be suffering from abuse or neglect. A social worker can take note of your concerns and launch an investigation into the resident’s well-being.
Visit the official website of the National Adult Protective Services Association to find phone numbers for the APS branch near you.
Sometimes, the only way victims of abuse and their loved ones feel like they can get closure is to file a lawsuit against negligent nursing homes. Nursing home law firms focus on helping families impacted by neglect or abuse in a care facility.
Taking legal action not only seeks justice for those harmed but also holds facilities accountable, sending a powerful message about how nursing home neglect and abuse are unacceptable.
Working with an experienced nursing home law firm makes the legal process as stress-free as possible.
Get a free case review right now to find out if we can connect you with a top law firm near you.
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Get a free legal case review if you or a loved one has suffered abuse or neglect.
The Eldercare Locator connects older adults to housing, health care, and other government resources.
Learn more by calling the toll-free elder and nursing home abuse hotline at 1-800-677-1116. Operators are standing by Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern time. You may also visit eldercare.acl.gov.
Established in 1988, the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) is a hub of information and resources. This advocacy group works to make it easier to spot and report nursing home abuse through education and training. It also lobbies for policy changes to improve the quality of care for older adults.
Through the NCEA, you can learn how to:
Report nursing home abuse today and seek swift justice. Get started by calling our team at (855) 264-6310.
It can sometimes be hard to know the difference between symptoms of normal aging and mistreatment. Problems like bruises, falls or fractures, bedsores, and dehydration are not always evidence of neglect or abuse. This is where a medical expert’s opinion can help.
“[Doctors] are in a unique place to be able to comprehensively look at a patient. They have an opportunity to identify elder abuse and to reach out to the community or make appropriate referrals to break the cycle of violence or neglect.”
—Amy Berman, Registered Nurse, John A. Hartford Foundation
Doctors can examine nursing home residents for physical and emotional signs of abuse or neglect. Because of their critical role, health care professionals are often mandatory reporters — required by law to report any suspected abuse or neglect to authorities.
Nursing home residents can experience many types of abuse, like physical harm, emotional mistreatment, neglect, and sexual assault.
Knowning how to report a nursing home neglect or abuse case can be a challenge since the warning signs of abuse vary greatly. However, one common thread is that abuse or neglect will lead to negative changes in your loved one’s physical or emotional health.
Reporting possible signs of any type of abuse can help to stop problems before they worsen.
Warning signs of nursing home abuse are listed below.
Was your loved one abused or neglected? Get a free case review — compensation may be available.
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If you think a loved one is being harmed, note any possible signs the moment your suspicions are raised.
Keeping track of the signs of nursing home abuse and neglect can make it easier to report them later on. It can also strengthen the case if it results in a criminal or civil nursing home abuse lawsuit.
To start, write down when you first noticed negative changes in your loved one. Include as much detail as possible about when, where, and how the abuse may have occurred.
It may also be helpful to take photos as evidence if you think your loved one is suffering from neglect or physical abuse.
Yes. Nursing home abuse is a serious crime that can quickly worsen and even turn deadly if not stopped. There is no question that you should report nursing home abuse. And you can do so in several ways, from local agencies to national organizations.
Here are 5 reasons for reporting nursing home abuse:
By reporting suspected abuse, you can open an investigation into a resident’s overall well-being while they are living in a facility. You may even be able to hold nursing facilities legally accountable if they harmed your loved one.
If you or your family have questions on how to report a nursing home, contact our team today.
Call us at right now at (855) 264-6310 or Click to Live Chat with a trained patient advocate.
Yes. In fact, staff members are required, both by law and internal policies at nursing homes and assisted living facilities, to report nursing home abuse and neglect.
Nursing home staff can report abuse without facing disciplinary action from their employer or legal liability. Ignoring nursing home neglect or abuse carries serious penalties.
Staff members and home care providers who ignore abuse may be fired, lose their medical license, or get arrested. Caregivers also can face civil lawsuits for abuse or negligence.
Abuse and neglect may only worsen if left unchecked, meaning your loved one could continue to suffer.
By reporting nursing home abuse, you and your family members can begin to heal and get closure from this awful trauma. Reporting abuse also helps bring those responsible to justice and prevents them from harming others.
Taking quick action is key when abuse or neglect occurs. Acting promptly and involving the right organizations, including experienced legal professionals, can help protect your loved one and hold those responsible accountable.
The Nursing Home Abuse Center works with a network of experienced nursing home lawyers across the country who can help families in all 50 states. Together, they have secured over $273 million for victims of nursing home abuse and neglect.
Call us right now at (855) 264-6310 or fill out this form for a free legal case review.
You can report abuse by contacting the proper authorities (911, Adult Protective Services, or a nursing home ombudsman). It’s crucial to report elder abuse of any kind quickly to keep your loved ones safe.
You can report a nursing home by contacting your state’s Department of Health or Adult Protective Services (APS) to ensure proper investigation and follow-up.
Always call 911 if your loved one is in immediate danger due to nursing home neglect or abuse.
You can also report negligence to your long-term care ombudsman, a doctor, or elder abuse attorneys.
Want to connect with one of our patient advocates right now? Call (855) 264-6310.
The biggest complaint in nursing homes is often related to inadequate staffing. This issue can lead to various problems, including neglect, poor quality of care, and unmet needs of residents.
Insufficient staff means residents may not get help with daily activities, medication management, or hygiene, contributing to overall dissatisfaction and concerns about safety and well-being.
Nursing homes in your state are usually regulated by the state’s Department of Health or a similar agency responsible for health services.
These agencies ensure that nursing homes follow state and federal laws, conducting regular inspections and enforcing standards to keep residents safe. If the nursing home receives federal funding, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) also regulates it.
For details specific to your state, check with your state’s Department of Health or contact your local long-term care ombudsman.
To file a complaint against a nursing home in your state, start by contacting your state’s Department of Health or equivalent agency, as they are typically responsible for overseeing nursing home operations.
You can also file a complaint with your state’s long-term care ombudsman, who advocates for residents’ rights and investigates concerns.
For issues involving abuse or neglect, consider contacting Adult Protective Services (APS) in your state. Many of these agencies offer online complaint forms or hotlines for reporting concerns.
You may also wish to connect with an experienced nursing home lawyer near you.
If you’re unsure where to start, the Nursing Home Abuse Center can guide you through the process and help you take the appropriate steps. Call us right now at (855) 264-6310.
Yes, there are specific reporting requirements for nursing home abuse. Many states mandate that health care workers, caregivers, and other professionals report any suspected abuse or neglect.
These individuals are legally required to act if they believe abuse is occurring, and failure to do so can result in penalties.
Additionally, under the Elder Justice Act, staff in facilities receiving $10,000 or more in federal funds are required to report suspected abuse or neglect. Serious cases must be reported within two hours, and other incidents within 24 hours.
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Nursing Home Abuse Support Team Last modified: August 20, 2024
Reviewed by:Julie Rivers, MBA
Eldercare Advocate & Expert
Julie Rivers is an eldercare advocate with over 15 years of dedicated service to victims of nursing home abuse and neglect. Her journey in this field became deeply personal when she assumed the role of an unpaid caregiver during her mother’s battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Written by:The Nursing Home Abuse Center Team
The Nursing Home Abuse Center (NHAC) was founded to bring justice to those affected by nursing home and elder abuse. Our mission is to educate and empower victims of abuse and their families to take a stand against this unlawful mistreatment. We work to return dignity back to those who have been broken down by nursing home abuse and neglect.
© 2024 Nursing Home Abuse Center. The information provided by NursingHomeAbuseCenter.com (NHAC) is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you submit a request for a free legal case review, a trusted legal partner will contact you to discuss your legal options. If you call our legal help phone number, you will be connected to a trusted legal partner to discuss your inquiry.
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