Nursing Home Abuse FAQs
What are the causes of nursing home abuse?
I believe my mother-in-law is being treated poorly in her nursing home. What are my options?
How prevalent is nursing home abuse?
If I can prove abuse has taken place, to whom do I make a report?
Should I contact an attorney about the situation?
What constitutes abuse or neglect?
What is the best way to find a good nursing home?
What are the causes of
nursing home abuse?
Many times nursing homes do not hire enough staff.
Under-qualified, insufficiently trained, and overworked
staff can result in nursing home neglect and abuse.
Unfortunately, many people living in nursing homes are
unable to properly communicate instances of nursing home
neglect and abuse because of their physical or mental state.
I believe my mother-in-law is being treated poorly in her
nursing home. What are my options?
Bring your concerns to the attention of the nursing home.
Tell them that you are documenting your concerns about what
you have seen and that you will report it. Be sure to follow
up on your concerns and report the home to the authorities.
You can report abuse in Florida to the Florida Department of
Children and Families – Adult Services at
http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/as/.
How prevalent is nursing home abuse?
More than 1.6 million Americans reside in more than 16,000
nursing homes in the United States. A 1998 study conducted
by the U.S. General Accounting Office concluded that more
than half of the suspicious deaths studied in nursing homes
were probably due to nursing home neglect, including
malnutrition and dehydration.
If I can prove abuse has taken place, to whom do I make a
report?
The State Department of Health in your area. You can report
abuse in Florida to the Florida Department of Children and
Families – Adult Services at
http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/as/.
Include all of the following information with your
complaint:
- Name, address, and telephone.
- Your relationship to the resident in the nursing home.
- The resident’s full name and reason that he/she is in the home.
- Times and dates that you observed the problems.
- Names of staff who may be involved, including those that you have spoken to about your concerns.
- Any medical records relating to the abuse or an autopsy if death occurred.
Should I contact an attorney about the situation?
Absolutely. If you are not getting satisfactory responses or
action from the home, contact Chalik & Chalik Law Offices. A
nursing home abuse attorney will investigate the situation
in the nursing home and advise you on the laws surrounding
the responsibilities of nursing homes.
What constitutes abuse or neglect?
Any of the following types of behavior on the part of the
nursing home constitute abuse or neglect:
- Improper diet
- Abandonment
- Willful desertion
- Physical abuse of any kind
- Failing to clean dressings or be clothes
- Bed sores from failure to turn the patient
- Any other treatment that has, or could, result in physical harm, pain or mental suffering
What is the best way to find a good nursing home?
Do your homework. Ask questions and look for signs of abuse
at the facility. You can better prevent unnecessary
instances of nursing home neglect and abuse from occurring
if you stay alert.
Talk to any and everyone that you know, so that you can get a referral. Be sure to talk with the medical personnel (doctors, nurses, social workers, etc.) who were involved in the care of your loved one. You should request inspection reports for your review. You can get the latest report from the nursing home director. Finally, be sure to visit the home and take note of the cleanliness, staff interactions with residents, activities available, complaints logged and number of staff on duty.
For more information, please see our Nursing Home Abuse page.
