Nursing home abuse is a shockingly prevalent problem throughout the United States, but it has grown increasingly widespread throughout the Chicago region specifically. As smaller nursing homes are bought up by large corporations seeking to maximize profit, they often demand tighter staffing procedures, which can lead to understaffing and burnout for those remaining. It’s estimated that over 50% of those charged with caring for the elderly have perpetrated at least one act of abuse, and that number is likely far higher than reported.
It’s frightening to think of your loved one being harmed by someone who is supposed to protect them, but it can also make you feel helpless: what are you supposed to do to prevent this outcome? What avenues do you have for redress, and how can you ensure that those who harmed your family member are held accountable? Today, we’ll discuss what steps you should take if you suspect nursing home abuse, including how to care for your loved one’s emotional needs during this time.
Get medical attention for your loved one
If there is any serious physical harm to your elderly relative, it’s essential that you get them treated right away. Seniors have a more delicate immune system than other populations, so even something as small as a burn from spilt food can lead to serious complications for an older person. No matter what kind of injury, you should insist upon taking them to a hospital and staying there with them yourself in order to hear what the doctors have to say. Remember to gather any reports from hospital visits for your own records, as these may prove to be vital evidence in the case of nursing home abuse.
First, gather all the evidence that you can find
The instant that you believe something might be wrong at your loved one’s care facility, begin documenting everything that you feel may be relevant to the case. Start a log of all your visits, including any concerning statements that you hear from your relative or from the staff there. Be as specific as you can with dates, locations, and times, and make sure to identify those you interact with by first and last name. This can be a crucial part of the investigation process, as authorities need to be able to match your allegations to other sources.
Get in touch with a lawyer
Talking to a lawyer experienced with nursing home abuse cases is incredibly helpful for a number of reasons. They can gather the other contacts that you will need to use for the criminal and regulatory aspects of this matter, and you can begin to tackle the issue from several sides at once: opening both a criminal investigation and starting the civil litigation process. The lawyer will also require much of the same evidence from you that the authorities will, so you will be able to provide your information to all the agencies around the same time; this will prevent you from forgetting important elements of your story over time, which could seriously harm your case.
Report to the proper authorities
There are several agencies that you should get in touch with regarding this matter; your lawyer will help you find this information and can advise you on how the procedures work. Firstly, you should contact the nearest Long-Term Care Ombudsman, who can assist you in coordinating the efforts to investigate the matter. They will explain how to reach out to Adult Protective Services, as well as what you can expect from the process.
Be sure to provide emotional support for your loved one during this difficult time
Abuse can be an incredibly complicated issue, and it only grows more so for those harmed in a nursing home. Your loved one may feel as if they are to blame for what happened to them; should you decide to move them away from the abusive nursing home, they will likely miss some of the friends they made there, as well as the staff that treated them well. It’s essential that you be there to listen empathetically and assure them that they are not to blame for the actions of other people, especially because those individuals were meant to care for them.
You may consider seeking professional counseling for your parent or grandparent so that they can receive more comprehensive guidance, including a specialized treatment plan for recovery. However, a therapist can never replace the need for comfort and kindness from those who matter most to your loved one: you and other family members. With support and legal guidance, you can help your relative through this painful situation and receive justice for what happened to them - as well as ensure no one else in that nursing home undergoes the same suffering.
