California Elder Abuse And Neglect Prevention Guide
Recognizing Signs Of Nursing Home Abuse
What you may have once dismissed as simply the signs of getting older, may be something more - nursing home abuse or neglect. The following guide may help you determine whether your loved one is a victim of nursing home abuse.
Physical nursing home abuse
Physical nursing home abuse can be the most obvious to detect. Take notice of any open wounds, cuts, bruises, welts, discoloration, or broken bones. If the facility staff cannot adequately explain what has happened, you should take steps to investigate into suspected nursing home abuse. Also, take note of any sudden change of behavior in your loved one. If he or she begins to cower when certain staff members approach, that could be a sign of physical nursing home abuse. If you witness someone engaging in nursing home abuse towards your loved one or another resident, take immediate action.
Emotional nursing home abuse
Emotional nursing home abuse may be more difficult to recognize. Signs of nursing home abuse can be your loved one acting unusually upset or agitated, extremely withdrawn, or noncommunicative. If you notice unusual behavior, like rocking in bed or sucking a thumb, you may be witnessing the aftershocks of serious emotional nursing home abuse. If your loved one has been the victim of nursing home abuse, he or she may not tell you what is happening due to fear of retaliation from facility staff.
Nursing home neglect
Nursing home neglect can also be difficult to determine. If you notice your loved one losing weight and becoming listless, he or she may not be getting the nourishment and food needed to maintain good health. Dry, cracked lips and skin can be signs of inadequate hydration and the need for more fluids. To detect other signs of elder neglect you may have to familiarize yourself with some of your loved one's more intimate areas. You may need to discretely examine undergarments and skin to see if they are soiled with feces or urine. Residents who lie in their waste are much more likely to develop preventable pressure sores.
If you recognize any of these signs of nursing home abuse and neglect, your loved one may be a victim of nursing home abuse. There are steps you can take if suspect nursing home abuse or neglect:
- Contact the administration of the California facility. Express your concerns and problems regarding potential nursing home abuse immediately and demand action be taken to counteract nursing home abuse.
- If you do not get any response from the California facility regarding your nursing home abuse suspicions, you should contact the California Department of Aging (contact information below) to file a California nursing home abuse complaint. The state will visit the facility and investigate the suspected nursing home abuse. Be sure to follow-up with the investigator to see what actions are being taken to prevent nursing home abuse.
- You should also contact the California Ombudsman. The California Ombudsman serves as a resident advocate and supports California residents' highest possible quality of life. The California Ombudsman is also responsible for investigating California nursing home abuse complaints and attempting to resolve concerns of California nursing home abuse made by, or on behalf of, California residents.
Nursing home abuse in any form should not be tolerated. You should take any and all steps necessary to protect the safety of those you love from nursing home abuse, including moving the resident to another facility. If you suspect nursing home abuse, you may need to take steps to enforce your legal rights.
Don't stand for nursing home abuse or neglect. Take action.
Resources Available to Victims of Nursing home abuse or Neglect in California:
Listed below are resources in California that can help you ensure you or elders in your care remain free from California nursing home abuse:
Department of Health Care Services (DHCS)
Licensing and Certification administers complaint investigations, licensing, and certification surveys on skilled nursing facilities, acute care facilities, and transitional care centers. Investigative results as well as annual survey results are available at the DHS office within the county in which the facility is located. This is a good source of information for the general public.
Call for the nearest district office: (916) 445-4171
Department of Social Services (DSS)
Department of Social Services administers the same information as DHCS for residential care facilities only. Investigative results as well as annual survey results are available at the DSS office within the county in which the facility is located. This is also a good source of information for the general public.
Northern Region: (916) 229-4500
Southern Region: (760) 292-2121
Coastal Region: (650) 266-8860
Los Angeles Region: (310) 665-1940
California Department of Aging (CDA)
The California Department of Aging administers a broad range of home- and community-based services throughout California, working primarily with the Area Agencies on Aging who serve seniors, adults with disabilities, and caregivers.
916) 419-7500
California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform (CANHR)
Administers a statewide Lawyer Referral Service for Nursing Home Abuse and Estate Planning; publishes numerous technical and consumer materials including data on complaints, deficiencies, and citations. In depth skilled nursing facility profiles are available for a $15 fee.
650 Harrison Street, Second Floor
San Francisco, CA 94107
(415) 974-5171
California Health Advocates
Provides information about Medicare, Medigap, Health Insurance, and Long Term Care Insurance.
580 Elvas Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95819
Central Office: (916) 323-7315
Wilkes & McHugh, P.A.
California nursing home abuse attorneys at Wilkes & McHugh, P.A. have represented many victims of nursing home abuse and neglect and their families. Our California nursing home abuse lawyers have received national recognition for our efforts on behalf of victims of nursing home abuse.
Wilkes & McHugh, P.A. has helped thousands of families achieve justice when their loved ones were the victims of nursing home abuse. If you suspect someone you love is the victim of nursing home abuse, call Wilkes & McHugh, P.A. at 800-255-5070 or click here to have a nursing home abuse attorney contact you.