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Reporting Nursing Home Neglect
In 2013, a study by the National Center for Victims of Crime (NCVC) reported that around 10,000 complaints filed by nursing home residents pertained to abuse. Of those complaints, about 15.3% were related to nursing home neglect. Finding the perfect nursing home for your loved ones is difficult enough; if they are vulnerable and you suspect that they are not receiving adequate care, it is essential to know how to report nursing home neglect.
A Troubling Example
In late 2021, an elderly, wheelchair-bound nursing home resident was admitted to the hospital with a urinary tract infection after being found in soiled clothes by her daughter. The mother had told her daughter that nurses would consistently fail to respond to her requests for help whenever she pressed the call button. Once admitted to the hospital, a nurse noticed the signs of nursing home neglect and referred the family to a social worker to perform a safety evaluation. The mother died one month later.
Identifying Nursing Home Neglect
Elder neglect, along with other forms of elder abuse, is a crime that is often unreported. While it is the responsibility of the facility to report cases of elder abuse that occur within their facility, if they fail to act, the burden may fall to the resident's family. Families that may not be able to see their loved ones quite as much should be aware of the varying signs of nursing home neglect:
- Poor personal hygiene
- Unclean living conditions
- Signs of malnutrition or dehydration
- Loss of mobility or muscle mass
- Mysterious bruises, scrapes or bumps
- Social anxiety and other psychological concerns
Reporting Nursing Home Neglect
If you believe that your loved one is being neglected by those who promised to care for them, call the Virginia Department of Health at 1-800-955-1819 or https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/ for more information. With your list of complaints, an investigator will conduct a visit to the nursing home and perform an inspection. This includes reviewing your loved one’s medical records and interviewing any staff or personnel.
If any violations are found, the nursing home will have to create a Plan of Correction: a detailed outline of the corrective measures that will be put in place to ensure no more violations occur. The Department of Health may even fine nursing homes in cases of egregious misconduct; however, you would not be entitled to that compensation. You would need to contact an elder abuse attorney.
Obtaining Justice For Your Loved Ones
The elder abuse attorneys at Obenshain Law Group are committed to holding nursing homes accountable for failing to uphold the necessary standards of care for our most vulnerable. Our firm has handled thousands of cases, including elder abuse cases, for more than 30 years. We will help you right the nursing home’s wrongs.
Call our office today at (540) 318-7360 or visit our website to fill outa free consultation.