What to Do If You Suspect PA Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect
Take the following steps if you suspect a loved one is being abused or neglected in a Pennsylvania nursing home.
- Call 911 or local law enforcement.
- Talk to the nursing home administrator or management.
- File a report with the local Ombudsman’s Office. Click here to locate your local Ombudsman’s office.
- Talk to a Pennsylvania nursing home abuse and neglect lawyer.
For a detailed discussion about Pennsylvania nursing home abuse and/or neglect, see the question and answer below.
Question: My siblings and I made a very difficult decision and put our mother in a nursing home in the suburbs of Philadelphia. She has early stages of Alzheimer’s and we wanted to make sure she had care 24-7. She has been there for 6 months now. However, she has lost a lot of weight since being in the nursing home, and sometimes she has bruises on her arms. We ask her what happened, and she always says nothing. She also seems withdrawn sometimes and seems like she is afraid of every little sound she hears. We ask the nursing home staff about her weight and bruises, and they tell us that she just doesn’t want to eat. As for the bruises, they say that they are not aware of anything that happened. We are worried about our mother and suspect that she may be neglected or abused. What is the best way for us to inquire about this? We are also afraid that if we say anything, they might treat her worse if there is abuse or neglect. We can’t pull her out right away because we have not been able to find another home that we can afford yet. What should we do?
Answer: I am sorry to hear about your situation, and it is understandable that you are worried about your mother. Below are some of the steps to take if you suspect your mother’s rights are being violated at the nursing home.
Call 911 or local law enforcement. If you believe that your mother is in immediate danger, call 911 for immediate help. You can also file a police report if you suspect that your mother is being physically assaulted.
Talk to the nursing home administrator or management. If the danger is not immediate, talk to the nursing home administrator about your suspicions of your loved one being abused. Tell the administrator about your mother’s bruises on her arms and how she has lost a lot of weight. Tell the nursing home administrator your concerns. This way, the administrator can look into the situation and conduct an investigation.
File a report with the local Ombudsman’s Office. If you’re afraid of retaliation after you speak with the nursing home administrator, then you can report your suspicions to the local Ombudsman’s office. Your report will then prompt a state investigation into the allegations.
Talk to a Pennsylvania nursing home abuse and neglect lawyer. Talk to an experienced Pennsylvania nursing home abuse lawyer before or after you file a report with the nursing home administrator and local Ombudsman’s office. Sometimes, investigations do not start promptly, and/or the home administrator may not provide satisfactory explanations or answers. We, as nursing home abuse and neglect lawyers, can help you through the process. We can ensure that an investigation is being conducted and help your mother recover any financial compensation if there is abuse or neglect.
Namerow Law always offers FREE consultations. Firm founder Jordan Namerow is passionate about fighting for his clients’ legal rights. Feel free to call our office and schedule a consultation. 215.985.0777
Other Helpful Information Related to Pennsylvania Nursing Home Abuse/Neglect Cases
- PA Nursing Home Abuse Law: What is Nursing Home Abuse? With the increase in numbers of the elderly living in PA nursing homes, there have been many reports of nursing home abuse or neglect. Some are physically abused; while others are psychologically abused. This article discusses the different types of abuse and signs that family members can look for in nursing home abuse cases.
- Nursing Home Fall Accidents in Pennsylvania & New Jersey – Falls from a Bed or Wheelchair Nursing home residents may suffer falls from beds or wheelchairs. Many times, the falls are due to the negligence of the nursing home. This article discusses a resident’s legal rights and the financial compensation they may recover as a result of the fall.
- PA and NJ Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect – Are There Warning Signs? It is difficult for many individuals to put their loved ones in a nursing home. They want their loved ones to receive the best care and treatment; however, some are abused and neglected. There are warning signs family members can look for.