How to Report a Nursing Home

How to Anonymously Report a Nursing Home

Nursing home abuse and neglect happen all too frequently and can endanger the lives of elderly residents who may be frail or have underlying health conditions.

If you suspect that your loved one has been the victim of abuse, you can report the incident to your state’s Department of Public Health. States have regulations that protect the identities of those who report nursing home abuse, so you can make an anonymous complaint and get your family member the help they need.

You can also report nursing home abuse by:

• Calling a nursing home abuse hotline
• Contacting your local Adult Protective Services (APS)
• Reaching out to a nursing home ombudsman
• Working with doctors and other professionals

Nursing home abuse lawyers also help families report mistreatment to the authorities and pursue justice and compensation for the pain they’ve endured.

Get a free case review now to see if one of our legal partners can help your family get justice.

6 Ways to Report Nursing Home Neglect or Abuse

Public health agencies and private organizations have systems in place for how to report a nursing home. They understand that residents in long-term care facilities are vulnerable and have mechanisms in place to deal with nursing home complaints about abuse.

While families often have several options for how to report a nursing home, 6 resources are listed below.

1. State Department of Health

Each state’s Department of Health accepts nursing home complaints about abuse. In most cases, you can report nursing home abuse by calling the agency, filling out an online complaint form, sending an e-mail, or sending a letter by standard mail.

Your identity will not be released to the nursing home or staff members, so you don’t have to worry about anyone retaliating against you or your loved one.

2. Law Enforcement

You can report nursing home abuse to your local police. The police can take immediate action if a family member has been harmed or has passed away from their injuries.

They can also file criminal charges if your loved one has been the victim of a physical attack, sexual assault, or other crimes.

3. Adult Protective Services

APS protects vulnerable adults, including seniors and individuals with disabilities, whose well-being may be affected by neglect, abuse, or exploitation. Depending on your state, you can report nursing home abuse to APS by using an online portal or calling a hotline.

4. A Nursing Home Ombudsman

You can also report nursing home abuse to an ombudsman, who is in charge of advocating for residents in nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

Every state has an Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman, with local programs that protect the well-being of nursing home residents.

An ombudsman for nursing homes investigates allegations of mistreatment and advocates for residents to ensure they are safe and that their rights have not been violated.

5. Nursing Home Abuse Hotlines

Another option for how to report a nursing home is by calling an elder abuse helpline.

Hotlines for nursing home abuse reporting include:

• Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116
• National Center on Elder Abuse at 1-855-500-3537
• SAMHSA 988 Suicide and Crisis Hotline at 988

These toll-free hotlines are staffed by trained professionals who can listen to your nursing home complaints and help you get assistance.

6. Medical Professionals

Doctors and other health care providers can help you figure out whether your loved one’s symptoms are related to nursing home neglect. They can perform an examination and order tests to confirm that a loved one was mistreated and ensure that they get treated for their nursing home abuse injuries.

Nursing home abuse law firms can also help victims report abuse and neglect and hold negligent facilities accountable for the harm they’ve caused.

LawFirm.com has partnered with top firms that have secured over $273 million for families across the country. Our legal partners never charge any upfront or hourly fees and can help families in all 50 states.

Who Do You Report Abuse to in a Nursing Home?

There are several different people you can report suspicions of nursing home abuse to. Each one can document your nursing home complaint, conduct an investigation, and ensure that your loved one is safe.

Medicare suggests that families first talk with the staff providing care to see if they can get to the bottom of what’s going on.

If the issue isn’t resolved, the agency says to speak with:

• The supervisor
• The social worker
• The director of nursing
• The administrator
• Your doctor

“The Medicare and/or Medicaid-certified nursing home must have a grievance procedure for complaints. If your problem isn’t resolved, follow the facility’s grievance procedure. You may also want to bring the problem to the resident or family council.”
– Medicare.gov

Nursing homes certified by Medicare or Medicaid are required to post the contact information for state agencies that oversee facility complaints. You can use that information to report a nursing home.

Regardless of who you decide to report the abuse to, consider speaking to a nursing home abuse lawyer. An attorney may be able to file a nursing home abuse lawsuit on your behalf and fight for the compensation and justice you deserve.

Warning Signs for Reports of Abuse in Nursing Homes

By knowing the signs of nursing home abuse, you can take quick action to protect your family member and help put an end to abusive practices at the facility.

Warning signs may vary but can include:

• Emotional abuse: Anxiety, fear, depression, and changes in sleep patterns and behavior
• Neglect: Infections, bedsores (especially stage 3 and stage 4 pressure ulcers), and poor hygiene
• Physical abuse: Bruises, welts, sores, burns, cuts, and broken bones
• Sexual abuse: Stained bedding or clothing, development of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and bleeding or bruising around the genitals

If you suspect nursing home abuse or neglect, it’s a good idea to jot down notes and document what you see. Take photos and videos of any injuries or other evidence of abuse.

Track any changes in your loved one’s appearance, mental or emotional health, and behavior. Pay particular attention to any changes in their routine, like a different room or caretaker.

Use the information above on how to report a nursing home to file a complaint against the facility and protect your loved one from further harm.

Get Legal Help for Nursing Home Abuse

Finding out that a loved one has been abused or neglected in a nursing home can be saddening and traumatic.

Our team at LawFirm.com is here to support nursing home abuse victims and their families and help them get justice. Many families who have reached out to us for legal help have been able to start the healing process and move forward with their lives knowing that justice has been served.

Our legal partners can help families:

• Hold negligent facilities accountable
• Pursue compensation
• Report nursing home abuse

The attorneys we work with never charge any upfront or out-of-pocket fees and can help families across the country.

Call (888) 726-9160 now or complete our contact form to see if they can help your family during this challenging time.