Any risk that can pose harm to residents living in nursing homes can be a grave concern, such as nursing home abuse. It often involves incidents that take a toll on the victims, whether physically, emotionally or financially. Unfortunately, the warning signs frequently appear when the situation worsens when the victim is already suffering due to trauma, declining health and deteriorating quality of life.
This type of abuse can impact the lives of residents within the facility, warranting urgent intervention from relevant authorities or agencies. If you have a relative or family member who may be experiencing nursing home abuse, you can take appropriate action proportionate to the incident, such as the following:
- Reach out to the facility’s administration to immediately resolve the issue and determine if it is an isolated incident.
- If the facility fails to address the incident or issue and is a condition causing many residents to suffer, file a formal complaint against the party responsible for the problem.
- Contact the relevant agency, which can help address the issue through mediation or negotiation. Scenarios involving maltreatment may require a more urgent response, necessitating a report with the Minnesota Adult Abuse Reporting Center (MAARC).
- Contact the state’s office of health facility complaints (OHFC) for facility-wide concerns. This agency can help determine what disciplinary actions are necessary to hold the facility accountable for the issue or incident.
The law has strict provisions protecting nursing home residents. These facilities should help seniors live with dignity while receiving the care they need, not make them subject to abusive behavior or misconduct.
Detecting nursing home issues
Identifying nursing home abuse and other issues could be vital. By raising the alarm and acting immediately, you can help nip them in the bud, which could be crucial in keeping the residents safe and deterring similar incidents in the future.