If you suspect nursing home abuse, act swiftly. Reporting is a crucial step in protecting vulnerable seniors. Prompt action can prevent further harm.
Nursing homes do not always inform families about harm, neglect, or abuse of their loved ones as they should. Nursing home staff can mislead families to prevent them from discovering the truth about the neglect or abuse. It is important for family members to take further action to protect their loved ones if they suspect or discover neglect or abuse. Key steps to take include:
- Documenting all evidence and observations.
- Contacting relevant authorities or hotlines.
- Consulting with an elder abuse advocate or attorney.
What to Do if You Suspect Nursing Home Abuse?
Understanding the reporting process can facilitate appropriate action to protect your loved one. This can include a formal complaint, either written or verbal. The health and safety of your loved one is the first concern.
Ensure Immediate Safety: If you believe your loved one is the victim of nursing home abuse, immediately secure them. If they are injured, call 9-1-1 or take them to the hospital. For uninjured patients, consider moving them out of the facility and to a safe location.
Document the Abuse: Take photographs and video!! Collect and record any signs of abuse. Prepare detailed notes and timelines containing relevant information.
It is important to maintain clear records of your report. Include any acknowledgments from the authorities. Following up on your report ensures accountability and helps you stay informed about ongoing investigations.
File a Written Grievance with the Nursing Home: You can ask for a grievance form from the nursing home to fill out or you can write a letter yourself. Explain that your loved one was neglected or abused and ask for the facility to investigate. This can help prevent neglect and abuse of other residents. Keep a copy of your written grievance because it may be useful in a state investigation or in a legal case.
Report to Authorities: Alert the authorities to elder abuse or neglect so they can start an investigation. Depending upon the kind of neglect or abuse suffered, the appropriate authorities include the Long-Term Care Ombudsman, Adult Protective Services, and your local police.
Who Do You Report to?
- State Agencies. Each state has an agency that oversees nursing homes, rehab centers, and assisted living facilities. These agencies issue licenses, routinely inspect each facility, and investigate complaints of bad care.
- The Long-Term Care Ombudsman. Each state has a Long-Term Care Ombudsman program. The Long-Term Care Ombudsman’s job is to help and advocate for people living in nursing homes, rehab centers, or assisted living facilities. If you suspect neglect or abuse in one of these facilities, you can ask an ombudsman for help. Ombudsmen can refer reports of abuse, neglect, or exploitation to the state and federal authorities who oversee nursing homes, rehab centers, and assisted living centers for investigation.
- Adult Protective Services. Adult Protective Services (APS) are social services programs in each state. They serve older adults and adults with disabilities who need help because of abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
- Local Law Enforcement. Your local law enforcement can assist when your loved one has been seriously injured due to suspected abuse, you suspect a crime has occurred, you suspect unwanted sexual contact, or you suspect financial coercion (theft).
How Do You Effectively Report Neglect or Abuse?
When reporting neglect or abuse, it is important to state that you believe your loved one has been neglected or abused. Be prepared to provide the name of your loved one, the name of the nursing home, rehab center, or assisted living facility, names of witnesses (witnesses can be staff, visitors, or other residents), and the facts of the abuse or neglect.
| State | Regulatory Agency | Ombudsman | APS |
| Arkansas | Office of Long Term Care, Arkansas Department of Human Services
File a complaint by calling 1-800-582-4887, by emailing complaints.OLTC@arkansas.gov. |
File a complaint by calling 501-363-6378 or by visiting the website to find your local ombudsman. | File a complaint online or by calling 1-800-482-8049. |
| Arizona | Arizona Department of Health Services, Office of Long-Term Care Licensing
Submit a complaint online or by calling 602-364-2536. |
File a complaint by calling 602-542-6454, by emailing ltcop@azdes.gov, or visit the website to find your local ombudsman. | File a complaint online (in English or Spanish) or by calling (1-877-767-2385), 24 hours a day, seven days a week. |
| Colorado | Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
File a complaint online, by calling 303-692-2442, by emailing cdphe.hfdintake@state.co.us (make sure to say in the subject line the kind of facility you are complaining about, for example, a nursing home or assisted living facility). |
File a complaint by calling 303-862-3524 or find your local ombudsman on the website. | Visit the Colorado Adult Protective Services website to find your county intake number. |
| Georgia | Healthcare Facility Regulation Division, Georgia Department of Community Health
File a complaint online or by calling 404-657-5726 or 404-657-5728. |
Visit the website to find the email and phone number for your local ombudsman, or call the ombudsman program at 866-552-4464. | File a report online, or by calling 1-866-552-4464 |
| Kentucky | Division of Health Care, Cabinet for Health and Family Services
File a complaint by phone at 502-564-7963, or visit the website to find your local DHC office |
Find your local ombudsman to make a complaint by phone or email. | File a complaint online or by calling 877-597-2331. Visit the Adult Protection Branch website for more information. |
| New Mexico | Health Care Authority, Department of Health
File a complaint online, by calling 1-800-752-8649, or visit the website to complete and email a complaint form. |
File a Complaint by calling 1-866-451-2901. | File a complaint by calling 1-866-654-3219 |
| North Carolina | Division of Health Service Regulation
File a complaint by calling 1-800-624-3004. Get more information, including access to complaint forms in English or Spanish, at the website. |
File a complaint by calling 919-855-3400 or visit the website to find your local ombudsman. | Visit the website to find your local Department of Social Services. |
| Oklahoma | State Department of Health
File a complaint by calling 1-800-747-8419 or by emailing ltccomplaints@health.ok.gov. More information on submitting complaints can be found at the website. |
FIle a complaint by calling 1-800-211-2116 or by emailing ombudsman.intake.line@ltco.ok.gov | File a complaint online or call 1-800-522-3511. |
| Pennsylvania | Department of Health
File a complaint online, by calling 1-800-254-5164, or by emailing at c-ncomlia@pa.gov. |
File a complaint by calling 717-783-8975 or by emailing LTC-Ombudsman@pa.gov | File a complaint by calling 1-800-490-8505. |
| Tennessee | Health Facilities Commission
File a complaint by calling 1-877-287-0010, or by filling out a complaint form, available on the website. |
Find your local ombudsman in this directory or call the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman at 615 253 5412 | File a report online or by calling 1-888-277-8366. |
| Texas | Department of Health and Human Services
File a complaint online, by calling 800-458-9858, or by emailing ciicomplaints@hhs.texas.gov. |
File a complaint by calling 1-800-252-2412, or visit the website to find your local ombudsman. | File a complaint by calling the Abuse Hotline at 1-800-252-5400 or through the Texas Abuse Hotline website. |
Medical Evaluation: Obtain a professional medical assessment to document injuries or health issues resulting from the abuse. Tell the doctor you suspect nursing home abuse or neglect.
Consult a Specialist Attorney: Contact a law firm specializing in nursing home abuse cases for legal guidance like Marks Balette Young & Moss. We can help you explore potential actions to hold the abusers accountable. If you’re facing such a distressing situation, seeking professional legal help can offer a pathway to justice and peace of mind.
If you suspect your loved one is the victim of nursing home abuse, contact us today!