You entrusted your loved one’s care to a nursing home, and they experienced abuse. Unfortunately, that’s more common than you might think. The National Council on Aging suggests that 1 in 5 older adults have been the victim of elder abuse, and that includes those at nursing homes.
While achieving justice won’t take away the harm your loved one endured, you do have rights. In this article, we’ll review how you can navigate nursing home abuse and take steps to hold the facility accountable.
Recognize the Abuse
Nursing home abuse can take many forms. Physical abuse is the most common form, and you can easily recognize the signs. Your loved one may have unexplained burns, cuts, or bruises.
Emotional and sexual abuse can be less immediately apparent but no less traumatizing. Nursing home residents who have been emotionally abused can experience changes in behavior, depression, and anxiety. They may become more withdrawn and isolated. Sexual abuse also occurs within nursing homes, and patients can be raped, groped, sexually harassed, or sent inappropriate images without their consent.
Recently, St. Patrick’s Home in New York experienced allegations of mental, physical, and sexual abuse taking place within its facility. These issues were reported and are now reflected in the official Medicare St. Patrick’s Home ratings on the website. These action steps help protect other residents and prevent the incidents from occurring again.
Report Your Concerns
Suspected nursing home abuse should be promptly reported. You can do so in several ways, depending on your comfort level.
First, you may report it to the nursing home directly. They will investigate your claims and determine the proper course of disciplinary action. However, because your loved one may still be in the facility, many opt out of reporting to the nursing home for fear of retaliation. While nursing homes cannot legally retaliate when claims are filed, it’s still a valid concern.
Nursing homes are regulated on a state level, so you can contact your state’s Department of Health, long-term care ombudsman, or any adult protective services available within your state. As you file a claim, share details about the suspected abuse, including what happened, when it happened, and where it happened.
These investigations may take time, so if your loved one is in immediate danger, be sure to remove them from the nursing home. The nursing home will be subject to corrective action, fines, and penalties if the claims are substantiated.
Lastly, you can file a claim directly with Medicare. Again, these claims may take time to process, but they are investigated to the full extent of the law. If the nursing home is found guilty of abuse, its record will include that notation publicly on its search record.
Care For Your Loved One
Nursing home abuse can be traumatizing for your loved one, so ensure they receive the care they need to process what happened to them. This can include medical treatment to address any physical issues that occurred as a result of the abuse.
Additionally, they may require mental health treatment, medication, or therapy to help heal the emotional scars of abuse. Ask if they want to be moved to another treatment facility. A new scenery can be helpful for nursing home residents to put the abuse behind them. They may be able to get a fresh start.
Listen to your loved one’s needs. Nursing homes owe their residents a duty of care, and when it’s breached, it can be challenging to trust a new facility. These feelings are valid, so do what you can to care for your loved one until they feel safe again.
Seek Legal Action
Many nursing home abuse victims face a steep financial burden. The additional medical and mental health treatments can be costly. These are compounded if the resident is moved to another nursing home, which is more expensive than their previous facility.
Victims may seek legal action to help recover some of the costs and reduce the financial burden. They may be able to recover damages for their actual expenses, as well as their pain and suffering. Many victims feel a sense of justice after their abuse case.
Conclusion
Navigating nursing home abuse can be challenging, but it’s essential to help hold those responsible accountable and bring them to justice. By reporting nursing home abuse, you are protecting other residents from potential harm.
As you support your loved one through the process, ensure they get the care they need. Listen to their feelings and be present. It will be difficult to hear what they went through, but your unwavering support will make all the difference in their continued recovery.
Medicare strives to provide the best care for the American population, and if its facilities fail, we must hold them accountable.
