How to Report Nursing Home Abuse in Alabama
It can be difficult to watch a family member age, especially when they are no longer able to live on their own. When you are concerned for an aging loved one’s well-being and cannot provide in-home care yourself, putting them into a nursing home facility may be your only option.
You count on the nursing home to follow health provider standards as mandated by the law. When your relative has suffered abuse or neglect at the assisted living facility, you may not know the steps to take to report nursing home complaints.
Hedge Copeland, P.C., has tremendous respect for the elderly population and advocates for victims’ rights in cases of nursing home abuse or neglect. Learn more about the nursing home abuse reporting process as well as the legal actions against nursing home abuse that you can take to protect your loved one and other residents.
Understanding Nursing Home Abuse
Nursing home abuse or neglect can take many forms and involves causing harm to the residents in an assisted living facility or other long-term care facility. The abuse can take physical or emotional forms or both. Residents may also be financially manipulated or sexually abused by the staff and caregivers.
Your loved one deserves to enjoy a safe environment that is free from harm, allowing them to spend the rest of their days being well-cared for rather than hit, assaulted, or robbed by those who are tasked with their care.
If you suspect abuse, you should look for common signs such as unexplained weight loss, pressure ulcers, bruises, poor hygiene, changes in behavior, isolation, or a lack of interest in the things they once enjoyed.
If you notice these warning signs, it’s important to take action to protect potential victims. Reporting suspected abuse can help ensure a complete investigation and prevent further harm. You can reach out to senior services in your area for guidance or file a report with your state survey agency or complaint unit, which oversees health provider standards to ensure proper care. These agencies, along with public health officials, have the authority to intervene and hold facilities accountable. There are also many resources available to support both victims and concerned loved ones, helping to ensure safety and well-being.
Steps to Take If You Suspect Nursing Home Abuse in Alabama
If the Alabama nursing home you trusted to protect and care for your loved one is causing them physical injuries or you fear that they are in danger, follow these steps.
Identifying Abuse and Gathering Evidence
If you believe your family member is in immediate danger at an Alabama nursing home, call 911 right away. If you merely suspect abuse or neglect, you should gather evidence such as photos of any physical injuries, bedsores, or signs of dehydration. Any other forms of alleged abuse or neglect may be harder to obtain, though an attorney can provide valuable guidance on what to do.
Contact Authorities and Relevant Agencies for Nursing Home Complaints
If you can confirm your suspicions that your loved one is being abused or neglected, you need to file your nursing home complaints with the proper authorities. The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) has a complaint unit that you can contact to report suspected abuse. You should also contact the ALF complaint unit for assisted living facility complaints and call the Eldercare hotline at 1-800-356-9596.
The Alabama Department of Public Health, the State Survey Agency, and Health Provider Standards take nursing home complaints seriously, though you shouldn’t stop there. A nursing home abuse lawyer can help you file a complaint against a nursing home and take additional steps to serve justice on behalf of victims and their families.
Get Legal Representation Through a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
While you can file a complaint on your own with the Alabama Department of Public Health, Health Provider Standards, and the Eldercare Hotline, trying to complete all these forms while concerned for your loved one can make it a challenge. Many family members feel tremendous guilt when this type of abuse arises, which is why it helps to speak with an experienced attorney in Alabama prior to filing complaints against a nursing home.
You can contact one for a free consultation to discuss the signs of elder abuse and get help reporting these incidents while taking legal action.
Legal Rights and Protections for Nursing Home Residents
Those residing in these types of facilities in Alabama are guaranteed specific rights through both federal and state laws. These laws state that nursing home residents have the right to:
- Receive appropriate and adequate medical care and treatment
- Be treated with dignity and respect
- Be free from abuse, neglect, and exploitation
- Participate in activities that provide socialization, mental stimulation, and physical activity
- Privacy and confidentiality
- Communicate freely with family, friends, and others outside the nursing home
- Receive visits at reasonable times.
- Manage their own finances, including accessing their bank accounts
- Receive their own mail
- File complaints and grievances without fear of retaliation
Should any of these rights be violated, contacting the Alabama Department of Public Health, senior services, or other agencies and an attorney is vital.
Preventive Measures and Advocacy
If you have a loved one at a nursing home, taking the right preventive measures and advocating for them can help you protect them. The first step is to be aware of the different types and signs of abuse, neglect, and exploitation that can occur.
Secondly, calling your loved one and stopping in to visit regularly can help you check on their health and well-being. You’ll be able to spot the signs of abuse more readily when you are there in person. Should you notice anything concerning about the care they receive, such as not enough staff to attend to their needs or any form of abuse, you need to address it with the staff and report it to the proper authorities.
Before you make the decision to put your loved one in a nursing home, make sure you conduct thorough research. Check all the reports on state websites to see if any violations may have occurred. Keep your eyes open for any red flags and keep in mind that even facilities with good ratings should be watched carefully.
If you have reason to believe that your loved one is being abused rather than properly cared for at a facility, it is critical to contact a law firm that can advocate for your family member. At Hedge Copeland, P.C., we understand how upsetting it is to learn that a family member is suffering harm at the hands of people who have been trusted to provide their care.
The elderly have lived long lives and deserve dignity and respect in their golden years. Our goal is to make sure they get that, along with proper compensation for the abuse they have suffered. Contact an attorney from our law firm today to schedule a free consultation.
