Deciding what to do if you suspect nursing home neglect involves several considerations, but it is important to report the suspected neglect and document the signs or symptoms.
It is also critical to contact a Duluth nursing home abuse lawyer to help protect your loved one from further abuse. Your report and accountability may also prevent the abuse of others.
When Your Loved One Complains About Their Treatment in the Nursing Home
It can feel overwhelming to assess whether your loved one is receiving appropriate care, especially if they have complaints about their experiences. Depending on the mental status of your loved one, you may be inclined to disregard complaints as misunderstandings or drama. However, it is critical to take these complaints seriously.
You may choose to speak with the facility’s leadership, whether a director or social worker, to help assess the situation. Sometimes, your loved one may say something alarming like ‘they won’t let me shower,’ and when you discuss with the facility, it was a one-time staffing issue that meant they had to wait for someone to help them with a shower. While a short delay is annoying and likely upsetting to your loved one, it is different staff not allowing them to shower for days at a time.
While it is helpful to address concerns and complaints with a degree of understanding at first, it is also important to advocate for your loved one if the problem is not resolved. Neglect may not appear obvious at first, making you doubt your suspicions of nursing home neglect. However, if you have addressed concerns with leadership without a resolution, consider filing a report or speaking with an attorney.
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Signs of Nursing Home Neglect or Abuse
In Georgia, nursing facilities must provide appropriate care and support to their residents. Georgia Rules and Regulations 111-8-56 require nursing homes to provide appropriate medical, nutritional, physical, and social/emotional services. When this does not happen, they may be vulnerable to charges of nursing home neglect, and the National Institute on Aging shares that indicators of this include:
- Preventable illnesses or unnecessary exacerbation, such as a cold left untreated, causing pneumonia
- Bedsores
- Poor hygiene
- Weight loss
- Depression
These may all be indicators of poor or negligent treatment. Some conditions like depression or weight loss may be part of normal care, and if the facility is working with your loved one and you or their representative, this may not be a concern. However, if they have not communicated these issues and there is no plan to manage or resolve the issues, this is often an indication of a problem.
Addressing Your Concerns of Nursing Home Neglect
Once you suspect nursing home neglect regarding the care of your loved one, the next step to get help is to report the abuse. Many families think that the police are the next call, and while they may start the appropriate process, they are often unnecessary. However, Georgia has a Division of Aging Services that oversees the welfare of vulnerable adults and their treatment in nursing facilities.
Many long-term care facilities have advocates who work with residents specifically to support them. Many of these advocates work through the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program. If the facility has an Ombudsman representative, you may be able to speak with them about concerns as well.
If you notice your loved one is already suffering due to neglect, you may choose to file a report in addition to speaking with staff. It is not required to speak with staff or ombudsman before you report elder abuse to Aging Services. Your loved one’s safety is always the priority.
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Reporting Suspected Nursing Home Neglect
You are not expected to provide proof before filing a report just to have legitimate suspicion of nursing home neglect. You will not be penalized for an unsubstantiated report made in good faith.
Filing a Report
You can contact the Department of Human Services, linked above, which oversees the Department of Aging Services and the ombudsman program. You should be prepared with some basic information:
- The facility name and address
- Names of relevant providers at the facility
- Your loved one’s name and birth date
- Relevant dates, such as when they first complained, when you first noticed problems, and dates of contact with the facility
- An explanation of your concerns
Mandated Reporters
Nursing home staff and many of the providers and advocates with regular contact are legally required to report suspicions of nursing home neglect.
For those who meet the criteria, failure to fulfill mandated reporting duties can result in criminal charges. If their failure to report resulted in injury to your loved one, you may also choose to pursue a civil lawsuit.
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Protect Your Family from Nursing Home Neglect
If you have experienced the injury or loss of a loved one at the hands of a negligent or abusive nursing home, you may be uncertain of how to continue. At Slam Dunk Attorney, our team prepares your case for trial from the beginning to help you recover your due compensation. One thing about us is that we are dedicated to transparency and setting you up with appropriate expectations and a clear understanding of possible outcomes.
Institutions that fail to protect the vulnerable deserve to be held accountable, and those they hurt deserve justice. We cannot understate the importance of our free personal injury lawyer consultation to ensure you know your options. Call us today for the support your family deserves.
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