What to do if you suspect abuse in a nursing home

Serious injuries deserve experienced attorneys

Nursing Home Lawyer Alexandria, VA

Any good nursing home lawyer Alexandria, VA residents trust knows all too well that when you bring your loved one to a nursing home, you expect a certain level of care. And while most nursing homes provide great care, there may be a time when you suspect abuse or neglect. Many people don’t know what to do when they suspect that their relative is being abused or neglected in their nursing home. Here are some things you should do if you believe this is occuring.

Talk to your relative

The most important thing you can do is to speak with your relative. Ideally, you should speak to them in private, without the presence of the nursing home staff. A skilled nursing home lawyer in Alexandria, VA will suggest that you ask your loved one questions about what exactly happened. Be sensitive. Your loved one may be reluctant or not want to talk about what is going on. They may be embarrassed, scared, or afraid they might worry you.

Take notes

You should take notes, not just when you are asking your relative about the potential abuse, but also take note of the surroundings. Watch how your loved one interacts with the staff. Do you notice any strange behavior? Talk to other coherent residents to see if they noticed anything suspicious. Make sure you write down anything you find out. It can be beneficial if you determine there indeed was abuse or neglect.

Talk to the staff

An experienced nursing home lawyer in Alexandria, VA may also suggest talking to the nursing home staff and management. If you are concerned about any type of behavior, ask questions. Good caregivers won’t mind you asking questions, just make sure you are respectful. You may learn that something you think is abuse or neglect, actually isn’t. Ask the staff for an explanation. If the nursing home staff and management are not able to give you a satisfactory answer to your question, you should look into taking more formal, legal action.

Call the police

If after your investigation you still believe that your relative is being abused or neglected while in a nursing home, you can either call the police or file a complaint. You should file a complaint if the threat is not something life threatening. However, if you think your relative is in imminent danger, any informed nursing home lawyer in Alexandria, VA will tell you that you need to call the police immediately.

Stay calm

In these types of situations it’s easy to lose your temper. It’s upsetting to see someone you love being mistreated. Especially in a place you trusted to keep them safe. However, losing your cool will not help the situation. As hard as it may be, try to stay rational and not get too emotional. It will help your case to stay calm.

Get a lawyer

According to a trusted nursing home lawyer in Alexandria, VA, everyone is entitled to protection, especially those who are most vulnerable like the elderly. You can file a complaint against the nursing home facility, but sometimes you will need to make a legal case in order to be taken seriously. A lawyer can help you and your loved one get the compensation they deserve as well as hopefully prevent this abuse and neglect from happening to another resident in the future.

If you or someone you love feels they could benefit from a legal professional to defend them against a nursing home, it may be in your interest to contact Cohen & Cohen Call today to set up your free consultation with a nursing home lawyer Alexandria, VA residents count on.