Our elderly family members in nursing homes are often as vulnerable as children, yet they’ve earned their right to dignity and respect over a lifetime. Kentucky nursing homes have a legal duty to provide skilled, compassionate care to their residents with respect for independence and human dignity. Sadly, many nursing homes do not live up to their duty of care and the result is neglect and sometimes egregious physical, emotional, sexual, and financial abuse.
When family members discover that a cherished elderly loved one has suffered abuse in a nursing home, it’s devastating for the whole family. It’s vitally important to hold nursing homes accountable for the abuse that occurs within their doors, and consulting with a skilled Louisville nursing home abuse attorney can help families navigate the process. How do families report nursing home abuse in Kentucky?
What Are the Signs of Nursing Home Abuse?
Nursing home abuse victims may be physically or cognitively unable to report abuse and neglect, or they may be unwilling to report it due to fears of reprisal or because they don’t wish to burden family members. For these reasons, it’s essential for loved ones to make frequent visits to their family members in nursing homes and remain watchful for signs of abuse including the following:
- Unexplained injuries
- Torn clothing
- Broken personal items like dentures, glasses, and hearing aids
- Sudden weight loss
- Dry skin and lips
- Poor hygiene
- Unclean clothing and bed linen
- Bruising and bleeding around private parts
- Signs of restraint use on wrists and ankles
- Uneaten meals remaining in a room
- Broken or out-of-reach personal items or mobility equipment
- Reluctance to speak in front of caregivers
- Social withdrawal or isolation
- Changes in mood and personality
- Unusual financial transactions
If you suspect a loved one has experienced any form of nursing home abuse or neglect in Kentucky, it’s important to schedule a thorough medical evaluation through a provider unaffiliated with the nursing home facility. Ask for a detailed medical report. It’s also helpful to take photos of any visible injuries, broken items, or unclean conditions.
How Do You Report Kentucky Nursing Home Abuse?
Holding a negligent nursing home in Kentucky accountable begins with reporting the abuse. First, inform the nursing home administration that you suspect abuse. You should also report abuse to your local law enforcement agency and ask for a police report. Then, contact your local nursing home ombudsman program. An ombudsman is an advocate who can connect you with local resources for nursing home abuse victims and their families. Then report the abuse to the following:
- The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS): this begins an investigation into the nursing home and the suspected abuse and ensures you have documented evidence of your report and their findings.
- The Office of the Inspector General: this is the licensing agency for Kentucky nursing homes. This office has the authority to inspect facilities, investigate alleged wrongdoing, and enforce standards.
- The toll-free tip line at the Attorney General’s office at 1-877-ABUSE-TIP (1-877-228-7384)
After filing a complaint, it’s imperative to stay in close contact with your elderly loved one to ensure that they are safe from harm, especially if they remain in the same facility. Continue to follow up with your state reporting agencies to ensure that they are investigating the case and ask for written reports of their findings. Then, reach out to an experienced nursing home abuse attorney to file a claim for compensation, accountability, and justice.