How to Report Neglect or Abuse in a Nursing Home or Assisted Living Facility
Dear Carol: My head is pounding from stress after leaving my mom, who lives in a skilled nursing facility. Anger isn’t my norm, but I’ve exhausted every civil way of communicating with them. Leaving a 90-year-old woman with dementia and assorted physical challenges lying in a soaked incontinence pad on top of soiled sheets for hours crosses the line. This happens routinely. For instance, this morning, after mentioning Mom’s condition to an aide, she accompanied me to Mom’s room, where she sullenly changed Mom’s brief. Then she none-too-gently plopped Mom in a chair, stripped the bed, and said she’d be right back. We waited a half-hour before I tracked down a different aide in the hall who said she’d send someone. Eventually, the bed got made, and Mom was settled again. I get that short staffing is an issue, but Mom was in pain and confused and needed to rest. In my opinion, this is neglect. Who should I speak with to get some action? – NK
Dear NK: I’m so sorry this is happening to your mom, and by extension, you. Yes, this is neglect. It doesn’t help that the aide’s attitude was sullen and disrespectful. I’m one of the first to remind caregivers who rightly want the best care for the person they’ve entrusted to a facility that they can’t expect one-on-one care, so they must be reasonable. It sounds as if you’ve been more than reasonable; you’ve been patient and…
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