What To Do If You Suspect Elder Abuse Or Neglect

Once noticed, the signs of nursing home abuse or neglect must not be overlooked. If you suspect that something is wrong in your loved one’s facility, it may be difficult to know what to do next. We’ve developed the following guide to help you navigate your options.

The first step is to remain calm. Your loved one may be in no danger at all. If you believe that your loved one’s life is being threatened with imminent harm, call 911 immediately.

We’ve written up extensive lists of the common signs of nursing home abuse and neglect. Follow the links below to learn what to keep your eyes open for:

• Common Signs Of Nursing Home Abuse
• Common Signs Of Nursing Home Neglect

Communicating with your loved one may be essential to determining whether a problem exists, and its extent. Even so, many victims of elder abuse and neglect are not forthcoming with the truth. They may be mentally incapable of accurately describing their situation, or may be bullied into silence by their abuser. If possible, ask your loved one about their environment and whether they are being treated with compassion and the proper attention.

Elder care facilities are legally responsible for addressing any concerns you may have. Understand that, in confronting a nursing home about possible abuse or neglect, you are not yet pursuing legal recourse against them. Allow the nursing home’s manager or on-staff supervisor to offer an explanation, or investigate the situation further.

If their response is not satisfactory, or your loved one’s condition gets worse, it’s in your best interest to file a complaint with the correct state agency. To learn who to contact in Pennsylvania, please visit the National Center on Elder Abuse’s State Resource Directory.

Before doing so, make sure you have documented every step of the process thus far. This documentation should include:

• A written explanation of your accusation’s basis
• Photographs, if possible, of any physical signs of nursing home abuse or neglect
• Any members of the nursing home staff with whom you spoke, when, and their response
• Management’s follow-up, if any