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Ohio Elder Care Abuse And Ohio Nursing Home Abuse Can Be Reported By Anyone

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If You Are Asking Who Can Report Ohio Elder Abuse, Anyone Can Report Ohio Nursing Home Abuse

If you have a loved one living in a nursing home, you can become their biggest advocate for preventing elder abuse in Ohio. Ohio nursing homes have some of the lowest ratings in the nation for care, number of staff, and treatment of patients according to the national Nursing Home Report Cards. In fact, between 2013 and 2014, Ohio’s nursing home grade fell from a “C” to a “D.” [http://nursinghomereportcards.com/state/oh/, January 2015]

Many nursing home patients suffer silently because they are unable or unwilling to admit they have been mistreated in some way. The National Center for Elder Abuse states that the oldest residents and female residents are more likely to be abused. The National Center for Elder Abuse found that one in 10 nursing homes in the United States engaged in violations that put their residents in danger of serious injury or death over a three-year period. [http://www.ohio.com/blogs/legal-news/legal-news-1.513148/anyone-can-report-nursing-home-abuse-in-ohio-1.542652]

The elder abuse attorneys at Wright & Schutle LLC urge anyone who suspects their loved ones are a victim of Ohio nursing home abuse to contact their office to discuss their course of options. Attorneys are available 24 hours 7 days a week to discuss your concerns. To speak with one of the firm lawyers call 1-800-399-0795.

Forms Of Ohio Elder Care Abuse

Just like in any other arena, not all nursing home abuse is physical. There is also neglect, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, false imprisonment, financial abuse, and verbal abuse. Each type of abuse comes with its own warning signs.

  • Physical abuse: Bed sores, medication overdose, fall injuries, restraint marks, bruises, or broken bones.
  • Sexual abuse: Torn and bloodied underwear, sexually transmitted disease, and bleeding and bruising in the genital area.
  • Verbal abuse: Resident may show fear of a specific person, have depression or excessive anger, or mumble.
  • Neglect: Sudden weight loss, dehydration, malnourishment, soiled bedding, poor hygiene, and other signs of poor care.
  • Emotional abuse: Crying, agitation, withdrawal, depression, complaints about treatment, or personality changes.

In some cases, a nursing home staff member could place a resident under false imprisonment, where the resident is not allowed to leave a room, area, or the building. Financial abuse can also occur by someone stealing the resident’s bank info, pressuring them into strange purchases, or a sudden unusual modification to a trust or will.

Although these signs of abuse are scary, the federal Nursing Home Reform Act holds all nursing homes funded by receive Medicare or Medicaid funds to maintain a high level of care for residents. All nursing home residents have rights to live free from abuse.

According to the Nursing Home Report Card, Ohio’s nursing homes typically suffer from a lack of staffing rather than dangerous violations and 15 percent of all Ohio’s nursing homes had no deficiencies in any area.

If You Suspect Ohio Nursing Home Abuse, Take These Steps To Report It

  • Alert other family members or “health proxies” to the suspected abuse.
  • If the abuse seems limited to one staff member, alert a supervisor and file a complaint with the director of nursing.
  • If these measures fail, call Adult Protective Services (APS) and file a formal complaint. You can also contact the Ohio Department of Aging Long-Term Care Ombudsman or the Ohio Department of Health.
  • In case of emergency, contact the Elder Abuse hotline for Ohio.
  • If the suspected abuse is criminal in nature, contact the local police and the Ohio Attorney General’s Office.

Always follow-up to ensure proper action is taken. You should also consult with an Ohio nursing home abuse lawyer or Ohio Eldercare abuse lawyer to determine if your loved one is eligible for any legal compensation as a result of the abuse. The attorneys at Wright & Schulte LLC have been successfully representing victims of Ohio elder abuse and work tirelessly to ensure Ohio’s elderly are receiving the proper care and respect they deserve at this time in their lives. To contact one of the firm abuse attorneys call 1-800-399-0795 or visit www.yourohiolegalhelp.com.

Contact:
Wright & Schulte LLC
865 S. Dixie Dr.
Vandalia, Ohio 45377
1-800-399-0795