How To Report Nursing Home Abuse In Ohio?

It can be devastating to learn that your loved one has been abused by people who agreed to care for and protect them. When you suspect abuse, you need to act quickly to prevent further harm. You need to know how to report nursing home abuse in Ohio.

Hire a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

When you hire a nursing home abuse lawyer, you are providing an advocate for your loved one who may not have the ability to fight for their own rights. Mistreatment or improper care can cause serious problems in a short amount of time, requiring swift action.

At Rumizen Weisman Attorneys, we understand the importance of your case and the need for a quick resolution. We have over 40 years of experience helping Ohio residents fight back against nursing home abuse.

Prevalence of Nursing Home Abuse

Abuse can occur at any nursing home or assisted living facility. Even highly rated facilities can have staff who behave inappropriately with residents. In 2024, the World Health Organization found that 1 out of 6 people over the age of 60 was the victim of some form of abuse.

Institutional staff self-reported rates of abuse, with 2 of 3 staff members admitting to committing abuse in the previous year.

Rates of elder abuse have increased since the COVID-19 pandemic. Researchers are predicting rates of elder abuse to continue to increase as the population of people over the age of 60 is expected to reach 2 billion by 2050.

Signs of Nursing Home Abuse

It is not always easy to tell when a loved one is being abused at a nursing home or assisted living facility. They may not have the physical or mental capacity to explain the abuse, feel ashamed, or may be fearful of the repercussions. Some common signs of abuse include:

• Signs of neglect
  • Malnutrition, dehydration, bedsores, and unexplained weight loss
  • Poorly maintained hygiene or living space
  • Missed medications or received the wrong medications
• Physical signs
  • Unexplained bruises, marks, or abrasions
  • Wounds in various states of healing
  • Broken or missing assistance devices
• Financial signs
  • Large withdrawals or transfers
  • Changing banks or banking practices suddenly
  • Transferring assets or unexpected changes to a will
  • Valuable possessions go missing.
• Emotional signs
  • Appearing fearful or withdrawn around certain caregivers
  • The family is discouraged from visiting or told that the resident asked that they not visit.
  • Withdrawal from usual activities

How to Report Suspected Nursing Home Abuse

There are several options for reporting nursing home abuse, depending on the nature of the abuse and the urgency of the case. Some reporting options include:

• Calling emergency services. If the resident is in immediate danger, contact the police. Suspected physical or sexual abuse should be handled by law enforcement.
• Filing a complaint with the facility. If the issue is with a specific staff member, another resident, or the facility, you can file a complaint directly with the facility for a resolution.
• Contacting the Ohio Department of Health. The Bureau of Survey and Certification handles complaints against healthcare facilities. Complaints can be made through their online complaint form.
  • Complaints need to be completed with as much information as possible to ensure that an investigation can be completed. Every complaint submitted receives a response with a tracking number and a second response when a resolution is reached.
• Ohio Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program. The Ombudsman Program advocates for long-term care residents to ensure they are treated with respect and dignity. The program serves all of Ohio across 12 regional offices.
• Hire an Ohio nursing home abuse attorney. If you want to seek damages for abuse endured at a nursing home or assisted living facility, you can file a civil claim against an individual or the facility with the help of an experienced attorney.

FAQs

Can You Anonymously Report a Nursing Home Online in Ohio?

There are methods for reporting nursing home abuse anonymously online in Ohio. If you report through the Ohio Department of Health or Adult Protective Services, you can choose to remain anonymous. Many reporters choose to remain anonymous out of fear of retaliation.

If you choose to report anonymously, try to provide as much detailed information as possible so the complaint can be investigated thoroughly. If you choose to remain anonymous, you cannot receive updates on the outcome of the case.

How Quickly Can a Nursing Home Complaint Be Resolved in Ohio?

In Ohio, how quickly a nursing home complaint can be resolved depends on the nature of the complaint. Complaints can be made internally with the facility or through the state’s Ombudsman Program. Priority is given to issues that require an immediate response.

For issues that involve criminal charges or when a civil complaint is filed, the length of time it takes for the case to be resolved varies with the severity of the charges.

What Are the Most Common Types of Abuse in Nursing Homes?

Nursing home abuse can occur in numerous ways, but abuse usually falls into one of five categories. The most common categories of nursing home abuse are physical, financial, emotional, sexual, and neglect.

Residents are most often exposed to emotional abuse by nursing home staff or other residents. Emotional abuse can be in the form of yelling, taunting, or making fun of the resident. Intentionally ignoring or excluding a resident from community activities can also occur.

Who Can Report Nursing Home Abuse in Ohio?

Anyone can report nursing home abuse in Ohio. Ohio law dictates that health care workers are mandatory reporters of abuse, but the law also allows for any person who suspects abuse to report it.

You don’t have to be related to or have a personal relationship with a resident to report abuse. Many instances of abuse are discovered and reported by individuals with indirect contact with the residents, such as delivery drivers or someone visiting another resident.

Contact Rumizen Weisman Attorneys

When your loved one is mistreated, you need to act fast and ensure the people responsible are held accountable. You and your loved one deserve compensation for the abuse they have endured. Contact Rumizen Weisman Attorneys today to schedule your initial consultation.