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It’s heartbreaking to discover that a loved one is a victim of abuse in their nursing home. You probably feel a range of emotions: anger, frustration, and sadness. Not only are you determined to protect your family member, but it’s also essential to immediately report nursing home abuse in New York. Reporting the abuse will help to bring about justice, and prevent others from being victims of abuse in the same facility.

How to Spot Signs of Nursing Home Abuse

While certain types of nursing home abuse can be pretty clear, other forms of abuse can be subtle. Pay attention to the most minor details and watch for these potential signs of nursing home abuse:

• Bedsores: This could indicate that your loved one is receiving poor care and isn’t being moved during the day.
• Unexplained Wounds: Look for bruises or cuts, which could be accidental or a sign of abuse. These injuries might be the result of either physical abuse or neglect.
• Behavioral Changes: When a person becomes withdrawn, depressed, or overly aggressive, then look for other signs that abuse might be happening.
• Hygiene Issues: Unwashed hair, body odor, and other hygiene issues often indicate neglect or abuse. These problems could be a sign that the nursing home staff isn’t adequately caring for the person’s daily needs.

The best thing you can do is pay attention to your loved one’s physical, mental, and emotional health. If anything changes, investigate the situation to determine if abuse is occurring.

Difference Between Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse

Both nursing home abuse and neglect can cause harm to the victim. But, the main difference between abuse and neglect is the intention of the abuser.

Consider this distinction. With abuse, the acts are deliberate and intentional. On the other hand, neglect is a form of abuse characterized by a lack of providing necessary caretaking responsibilities (which may be unintentional).

What Are the Steps to Reporting Nursing Home Abuse in New York

There are several specific steps you should follow if you need to report nursing home abuse in New York:

1. Document the Abuse: Make a record of the signs of abuse, such as photos or videos of the injuries. Written documentation is also helpful. For example, you might start a log to keep track of incidents relating to the abuse case.
2. Notify Proper Authorities: Don’t wait for the nursing home staff or other care providers to report the abuse. If you believe your loved one is a victim of abuse, then protect them by reporting nursing home abuse immediately. Call the Nursing Home Complaint Hotline at 1-888-201-4563. Or, use this link to find a Nursing Home Complaint Form for the state of New York that can be printed and filled out.
3. Protect the Victim: If you know a loved one is being abused, make arrangements to remove them from the nursing home if necessary. Even though the authorities will start an investigation, it’s important to stop continued abuse in the meantime.
4. Contact an Attorney: Legal help can be a valuable resource so that your loved one has an advocate to stop the abuse and prevent future issues. Filing an abuse report is not something that a person can easily do alone.

How Can an Attorney Help

Your loved one deserves to live in an environment that is safe and comfortable. When you need to report nursing home abuse in New York, consider hiring an attorney for assistance. Not only will legal services ensure that the proper channels are followed for filing the report, but it’s also possible that compensation might be available.

Our team at Rosenblum Law is here to help. We have years of experience with personal injury cases and reporting nursing home abuse in New York. Schedule a free consultation and learn more about available services by calling us at 888-235-9021.

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