Nursing home residents and their families may need to report the establishment when there is apparent neglect and abuse. A sad reality is, even though nursing facilities are supposed to offer secure and compassionate living quarters for elderly people, neglect, abuse, and fraud are all too typical there.
You should contact the Florida Department of Health (DOH) if you have concerns about abuse or neglect at a nursing facility. The Florida Health Care Complaint Portal allows you to submit a complaint online. The privacy of patient information is guaranteed by the Florida Department of Health. Unfortunately, telephone complaints of abuse and neglect in nursing homes are not accepted.
In reality, the Florida DOH can take some time to look into claims of abuse or neglect in nursing homes. However, we understand that residents frequently do not have the luxury of waiting.
For cases such as this, we encourage residents and their families to immediately speak with a lawyer in addition to filing a report through the Florida Health Care Complaint Portal. Our lawyers here at Warner & Warner will assist if you or a loved one needs medical attention. This also applies if one needs to be rescued from a dangerous nursing home.
Common Complaints About Nursing Homes
Below are the usual complaints about nursing homes and how you can address them.
Untimely Responses
The slow response time of personnel to resident needs is the most frequent complaint in many nursing homes. Staff employees responding slowly to call buttons or leaving residents waiting for care in their beds or wheelchairs for excessive time are just some of them.
Slow response times can cause residents to soil themselves or fall. Also, if people are left in bed for an extended time without being adequately moved or exercising, they may develop health problems, including bed sores.
Poor Quality of Food
Concerns about the meals served in nursing homes are another issue. It becomes a challenge to provide the residents with the nutrition they need and meet all their specific dietary needs. Some facilities offer few daily options for meals, and other snacks are flavorless and lack variation.
Residents’ families can try to address this issue by talking with staff members and finding out what options they have for altering the menu or the types of foods served.
Social Isolation
Nurses and caregivers usually lack the opportunity to stay with residents for an extended period of time because the facility is understaffed. With this, residents may experience social isolation if their relatives and loved ones don’t frequently visit.
The reasons above don’t automatically warrant a legal complaint. Talking directly to the staff or the administrator can solve the issue. However, there are instances when you have to step it up a notch.
When To Report an Abuse in Nursing Homes
Many individuals are unsure when to file a complaint against a care facility. They often give the nursing facilities the benefit of the doubt. Additionally, administrators and staff usually make an effort to cover up signs of fraud, negligence, and abuse.
If you have worries, we suggest getting assistance right away. You’d never know if your concerns can be justified. According to reports, a few Florida nursing facilities are plagued by abuse, neglect, and fraud. Many suffer from this, and it could be you or your loved one.
The following situations all call for reporting a nursing home. You should talk to a lawyer to understand your full rights.
- Unaccounted-for physical harm
- Unjustified weight gain or loss
- Any form of unwanted physical contact
- Verbal abuse
- Psychological abuse
- Unauthorized and excessive charges
- Missing personal property
- Bed sores and other signs of neglect
- Having trouble communicating with friends or relatives
- Inadequate access to medications
- Lack of access to basic hygiene care
Know your rights and protect your loved ones by talking to professionals.
Hire the Best Lawyers in Orlando, Florida, for Neglect and Abuse in Nursing Homes
Warner & Warner law firm has the best lawyers in Orlando, Florida, for Neglect and Abuse in Nursing Homes. We’ll help you understand your case in the best possible way we can. For a free case review, call us at 321 450 7928 or send an email through our contact form.
