When you make the difficult decision to place your loved one in the care of a full-time, residential nursing facility, the last thing you anticipate is to discover they are suffering neglect or abuse in the care of those you’ve trusted with their care. If this is the case, you should act immediately to ensure their safety, including documenting the evidence and reporting the issue to the authorities. In Pennsylvania, nursing home abuse and neglect cases often involve violations of both state and federal care standards, making it critical to recognize the early signs of abuse to take immediate protective actions and legal actions. Nursing home abuse may include physical harm, neglect, and emotional abuse. The following blog explores what you should know, including the steps to file a report in Pennsylvania and the importance of connecting with a York County, PA nursing home abuse attorney, while also protecting your loved one’s rights to pursue legal action when necessary.
What Is Nursing Home Neglect, and Why Does It Happen?
Rather obviously, nursing homes’ sole responsibility is to ensure their patients are safe and living in a healthy, positive environment. This requires the basics: clean water, fresh food, clean air, and a staff that is there to help your loved one when he or she needs it. In fact, a responsible staff is perhaps the most important aspect of a good, secure, and sanitary nursing home. Unfortunately, there are several things nursing homes can do that fail to live up to the standard of care that you expect and that your loved one deserves.
For example, when a patient in a nursing home tells staff that he or she needs help using the bathroom, reports pain, or says they need medicine, and the staff disregards the patient’s complaints, this is an example of nursing home negligence. Though nobody wants to imagine the people they trust to care for their loved ones are doing just the opposite, the unfortunate reality is that it happens more than most would even like to admit.
How Can I Tell if a Nursing Home Is Neglecting My Loved One?
There are various signs and symptoms of nursing home neglect and abuse that you should constantly look out for. For example, if you notice your loved one is unusually thin, he or she may be malnourished. You should also always watch out for frequent cuts and bruises, frequent falls, infections, bedsores, verbal abuse or harassment, soiled beds, broken bones, reports of stolen possessions, and more.
Key Warning Signs of Nursing Home Abuse
- Sudden weight loss or signs of malnutrition
- Dehydration
- Bedsores, including pressure ulcers, especially those that are untreated
- Unexplained cuts, bruises, burns, or fractures
- Poor hygiene and unsanitary conditions, including soiled bedding, clothing, and dirty bathrooms
- Withdrawal, fear, and sudden, drastic changes in behavior
- Unexplained, missing personal belongings, and suspicious financial activity
- Frequent falls and repeated injuries without any explanation
- Staff that refuses to allow private visits with patients
What Should I Do Immediately if I Suspect Abuse in Pennsylvania?
If you believe your loved one is in danger in their current residential nursing facility, you should prioritize their safety above all else. Once you know they are safe, you may then begin preserving evidence to help support your claim.
In Lancaster County and throughout Pennsylvania, families have the right to report suspected nursing home abuse and pursue legal action in accordance with state elder protection laws.
Immediate Action Steps
- Call 911 if your loved one is in immediate danger
- Remove your loved one from the facility, if possible
- Seek immediate medical attention to ensure that your loved one’s injuries are documented
- Take photos and videos of the injuries and unsafe conditions
- Write down the dates, times, and descriptions of all incidents
- Speak with nursing home staff and request copies of all incident reports
- Avoid confronting staff aggressively
- Connect with an experienced Lancaster County nursing home abuse attorney
Can I Report a Bad Nursing Home in Pennsylvania?
To report a bad nursing home, you can call the Pennsylvania Department of Health at 1-800-254-5164. However, if possible, before reaching out, you should take pictures of any potential safety hazards/abuse. If your loved one was injured, take them to a hospital and have their injuries reported. Lastly, if you believe your loved one has been a victim of nursing home neglect, contact an experienced attorney who is ready to fight for your loved one’s right to a dignified life.
Contact an Experienced Lancaster County Injury Attorney
Our legal team is here to help you fight for the justice you and your loved one deserve for the abuse and neglect they have suffered at the hands of those employed to care for them. That is why the team at Ilkhanoff & Silverstein is ready to represent you. We understand how difficult these matters can be to navigate, which is why we are committed to assisting you during these difficult times. All you need to do is pick up the phone and give us a call or contact us online so we can get started working on your case.
