Reporting Abuse Cases in Nursing Homes
Nursing homes have an obligation to report any abuse or neglect cases, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, formerly known as the Health Care Financing Administration, have published guidelines for states to follow. These guidelines include information about who to contact and what to look for when reporting an abuse or neglect case. If you suspect abuse or neglect, or you or a loved one you know has been a victim, you may be eligible for compensation. More here.
Abuse
Reporting abuse cases in nursing homes is a necessary step in protecting your loved one. While it’s impossible to prevent every act of maltreatment, there are some signs to watch for. For example, if a nursing home resident withdraws from social situations, it may be a sign of emotional abuse. They may feel anxious, fearful, and lack confidence. They may be afraid of being alone, dying, or even being alone with their caretaker. Other signs of abuse include repetitive movements and refusal to take their medication.
One recent case involved an elderly woman with disabilities who was sexually assaulted by a male resident of a nursing home. She suffered two silver-dollar-sized bruises on her right breast. After the incident, nursing home staff members helped the woman change her clothes and bathe, which could have destroyed the evidence of a rape kit. Moreover, the nursing home employees failed to report the abuse to the police within the required two hours under federal law.
Neglect
Nursing homes can be very dangerous places for elderly residents. Sadly, many cases of neglect or abuse go undetected and go unreported. In fact, the Department of Health & Human Services reports that nearly half of all nursing home neglect cases involved serious bodily injury. To avoid being a victim of nursing home neglect, it is imperative to protect residents by ensuring that they receive an updated list of their medications. Moreover, if you suspect that a resident is receiving improper care, you should contact the local law enforcement to see if they can investigate the situation.
Another common symptom of neglect in nursing homes is bed sores. In addition, nursing home staff have admitted to abusing residents. For example, they have ignored their patients and refused to allow them to interact with others. As a result, residents may become isolated and feel lonely, which in turn can lead to depression. In addition, many nursing homes fail to provide medication and other medical attention to residents with mobility problems. As a result, the elderly are unable to take care of themselves and may refuse help from others.
Financial exploitation
Financial exploitation of residents of nursing homes is a common form of elder abuse. Caretakers have swindled elderly patients out of their life savings. This type of abuse can go on for years. If you suspect that your loved one is the victim of financial abuse in a nursing home, know your rights (click here) and look for warning signs. Here are some signs of financial exploitation in nursing homes:
Financial exploitation can take two forms. It can involve the unauthorized use of a senior’s property or funds. Financial exploitation can also involve stealing property from a resident or forging his or her signature on financial documents. For example, an in-home staff member may use the elderly person’s checks to make purchases. Or, he or she may use the resident’s bank account to make purchases.