Nursing Home Abuse and Nursing Home Neglect Informational Resource
Other Remedies
The first step you should take in connection with any minor problem associated with a nursing home is to confront the staff member who is causing the problem immediately. Speak with the person who is directly involved with the problem, i.e. if the problem is associated with the diet of your loved one, speak with the director of the Dietary Department, or if the problem is associated with the direct needs of your loved one, speak with the nurse or nurse aide responsible for the problem. Sometimes the staff will be unaware of a problem until it is brought to their attention, so be sure to confront the problem with tact.
Nursing Home Abuse and Nursing Home Neglect is an extremely complex type of Civil Litigation. If you suspect that your loved one has fallen victim to nursing home abuse or nursing home neglect you should consult with an experienced nursing home abuse attorney as soon as possible.
State Agencies
Department of Health: The Department of Health in each state has a division specifically dedicated to working with nursing homes. The division is generally called the State Survey Agency, This agency is charged with the responsibility of investigating nursing home complaints as well as performs an annual survey of nursing homes. Each nursing home is required to provide you with the contact information for the state survey agency upon your request.
Licensing and Certification Office: Licensing and Certification offices of each state investigate and have the authority to issue citations and fines to nursing homes if you file a complaint in connection to nursing home abuse or nursing home neglect.
State Ombudsman
Ombudsmen are advocates that represent residents in all forms of assisted living facilities. Ombudsmen are trained individuals who attempt to resolve problems and complaints for the resident or resident's family. Ombudsmen are required to keep all complaints confidential unless you specify to them that you want to waive the right of confidentiality.
Under the Older Americans Act, every state is required to have an ombudsman program to represent residents and to advocate for better living conditions.
Nursing Home Abuse and Nursing Home Neglect is an extremely complex type of Civil Litigation. If you suspect that your loved one has fallen victim to nursing home abuse or nursing home neglect, you should consult with an experienced nursing home abuse attorney as soon as possible.
