Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect

Nursing home abuse and neglect are a serious concern. Although regulations of care facilities have increased, abuse by staff members — or even other residents — is a problem.

According to the National Institutes of Health, national ombudsman received an annual average of 11,749 abuse and neglect-related complaints in nursing homes from 2006 to 2013. Such claims are trending down, but are still commonly reported. Physical abuse by a non-resident was the most frequently reported, making up 28 percent of total complaints.

Abuse can take many forms: physical, sexual, mental or emotional, and financial. In many cases, this abuse and neglect doesn’t come to the families’ attention until a resident is injured and their physical and mental well-being is in danger.

Nursing home abuse and neglect may go unnoticed, not because family members do not care, but because they do not know how to spot the signs that something’s wrong. Here are some of the most common signs that a loved one is experiencing abuse or neglect:

• Your loved one appears malnourished or dehydrated
• Your loved one does not seem to have kept up with personal hygiene
• He or she has experienced errors in prescription medication
• The facilities are poorly maintained
• The staff are unresponsive
• He or she shows signs of physical abuse or complains about verbal abuse
• You notice changes in his/her bank account or possessions are missing

How can Kelly & West help?

Families who hear about the abuse of a loved one may not know what to do. If you, or another family member, feel that your loved one has been the victim of abuse or neglect in a nursing home, contact us to speak to one of our experienced attorneys. We will help report the issue to the proper authorities, and we’ll gather information to assist in the investigation and prepare a claim against the owners and operators of the nursing home.

You can also take the following action:

1. Visit more often. Change the timing of your visits, so you arrive at different times of the day.
2. Document your suspicions. Start writing down the dates and times of your visits and a summary of anything odd you observe.
3. Report the problem. Start with a supervisor, and write down the date and time you made your report. Visit again within a few days to see if anything has changed.

Related Authorities

• State Long Term Care Ombudsman in North Carolina: (919) 733-8395
• Department of Health Service Regulation: (919) 855-4500
• Office on Aging: (919) 733-3983
• Medicaid Fraud Control Unit: (919) 881-2320 (for Medicaid fraud)

Nursing home residents have the right to appropriate care. If your loved one appears to be suffering the consequences of nursing home abuse or neglect, get an attorney on your side who can help you protect him or her. Talk to our team to find out how.