What to Do Immediately If You Suspect Nursing Home Abuse in Raleigh

Signs of elder abuse or neglect may be subtle, but they should not be ignored. If you are concerned about the care your loved one is receiving at a nursing home in North Carolina, taking the following steps can help protect their rights and protect them from further harm.

Step 1: Make Sure Your Loved One Is Safe

Your loved one’s immediate safety should be the first priority. If they have suffered an injury or appear to be in medical distress, seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Seek Emergency Medical Treatment When Necessary

Call 911 or seek emergency medical care if your loved one has a serious or potentially life-threatening injury. A medical evaluation can help determine the extent of the injury and whether additional treatment is necessary. Make sure to keep copies of any documentation you receive such as medical records or discharge paperwork.

Consider Whether Your Loved One Should Be Moved

In some situations, it may be appropriate to consider moving your loved one to another facility or arranging temporary care while concerns are investigated. This decision can depend on the severity of the situation, your loved one’s medical needs, and the availability of appropriate alternative care.

Moving a loved one can be a significant decision, particularly when specialized care is involved. Henson Fuerst’s guide to choosing a nursing home facility offers information about evaluating facilities, comparing care options, and determining what may be appropriate for your family member.

Step 2: Document Everything

Detailed documentation can help create a record of what you observed and when you observed it. It may also help investigators or attorneys understand what happened and identify patterns that might otherwise be difficult to establish.

Take Photographs

Photograph anything that may be relevant to your concerns, including:

• Bruises, cuts, wounds, or swelling
• Bedsores or pressure ulcers
• Unexplained injuries
• Unsanitary conditions
• Unsafe or damaged areas of the resident’s room
• Soiled clothing, bedding, or other conditions that may indicate inadequate care

Keep Detailed Notes

Maintain a written record of your observations and interactions with the facility. Include:

• Dates and times of incidents or visits
• Names and positions of staff members you speak with
• What staff members tell you about your loved one’s condition
• Changes in your loved one’s health, behavior, or appearance
• Conversations with doctors, nurses, administrators, or other caregivers
• Complaints you make to the facility and how the facility responds

Make sure to note specific changes you observed, such as a new bruise, unexplained weight loss, or a noticeable change in behavior.

Save Important Records

Keep copies of documents related to your loved one’s care, including:

• Care plans
• Medication lists
• Medical records
• Billing records
• Hospital records
• Discharge paperwork
• Communications with the nursing home
• Written complaints and responses from the facility

Step 3: Report the Abuse

North Carolina has resources available to investigate suspected abuse, neglect, and exploitation of vulnerable adults. Depending on the circumstances, you may have several reporting options.

NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS)

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) oversees programs that enforce health and safety standards and respond to concerns involving care provided in nursing homes and other facilities. Its Division of Health Service Regulation investigates complaints involving resident care and safety. You can file a complaint directly with the NCDHHS Complaint Intake Unit.

Adult Protective Services (APS)

Adult Protective Services (APS) receives reports concerning suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of older adults and adults with disabilities who may need protective services. APS is administered through county departments of social services (DSS).

If you are concerned that your loved one is being abused, neglected, or exploited, contact the Department of Social Services in the county where your loved one resides. North Carolina’s DSS directory provides contact information of representatives by county.

Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program

The North Carolina Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program helps residents and families understand their rights and address concerns involving long-term care facilities. Regional ombudsmen can investigate and assess complaints and may work with regulatory agencies when concerns cannot be resolved through the ombudsman program alone.

The program can be particularly useful for families who have questions about resident rights, facility practices, care concerns, or the long-term care system. Learn more about the North Carolina Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program.

Law Enforcement

If you believe a crime has occurred or your loved one is in immediate danger, contact local law enforcement. If there is an immediate, life-threatening emergency, call 911.

Reporting to the appropriate agency does not prevent you from also speaking with a nursing home abuse attorney. Depending on the circumstances, more than one agency may need to be involved.

Step 4: Request Medical Records Before They Disappear

Medical and facility records contain important information about your loved one’s condition, treatment, and care. Request and save records that may help establish what happened and how the facility responded.

Depending on the circumstances, relevant records may include:

• Nursing notes
• Physician orders
• Medication administration records (MARs)
• Wound care records
• Care plans and assessments
• Hospital and emergency department records
• Incident reports
• Staffing documentation

Some records may not be immediately available to family members or may require additional legal processes to obtain. An attorney may be able to pursue additional records through the legal discovery process when appropriate.

Step 5: Avoid Signing New Paperwork Without Understanding It

After a family raises concerns, the nursing home may provide additional paperwork or ask you to sign documents. Before signing anything that could affect your loved one’s rights, take time to understand what the document says.

This may include:

• Arbitration agreements
• Liability waivers
• Admission or transfer documents
• Releases
• Settlement offers

If you are unsure about a document or settlement offer, consider having a Raleigh nursing home abuse lawyer review it before you sign.

Step 6: Speak With an Experienced Nursing Home Abuse Attorney

If you suspect your loved one has been abused or neglected at a facility in Raleigh or anywhere throughout North Carolina, an attorney may be able to help you understand your legal options and investigate what occurred.

Depending on the circumstances, our team may be able to assist with:

• Preserving relevant evidence
• Obtaining medical and facility records
• Investigating the circumstances surrounding an injury
• Consulting medical or other qualified experts
• Examining staffing and supervision issues
• Evaluating communications from the facility or its insurance company
• Pursing a legal claim when appropriate

At Henson Fuerst, our nursing home abuse attorneys are committed to representing those injured or neglected. We can investigate the circumstances surrounding an injury and help families understand their options.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are the Signs of Nursing Home Abuse?

Nursing home abuse and neglect can take many forms, and the signs are not always obvious. Some residents may also be unable or unwilling to explain what happened because of cognitive impairment, fear, embarrassment, or concern about how staff members may respond.

Some potential signs include:

• Unexplained bruises
• Cuts
• Fractures
• Pressure ulcers
• Sudden weight loss
• Dehydration
• Poor hygiene
• Changes in behavior

These are among some of the most common signs of nursing home abuse and neglect we see.

What Are the Different Types of Nursing Home Abuse?

Nursing home mistreatment can take several forms:

• Physical abuse may involve hitting, pushing, kicking, improperly restraining, or otherwise intentionally causing physical harm to a resident.
• Emotional or psychological abuse can include threats, intimidation, humiliation, harassment, or deliberately isolating a resident.
• Sexual abuse involves any unwanted or nonconsensual sexual contact. Residents who have cognitive impairments may be particularly vulnerable.
• Financial exploitation can involve theft, unauthorized withdrawals, manipulation, or improper use of a resident’s money or property.
• Neglect occurs when a nursing home fails to provide necessary care or supervision. Examples may include failing to provide adequate food or water, neglecting personal hygiene, failing to administer medications properly, or failing to respond appropriately to known medical or safety risks.

Should I remove my loved one immediately?

Not necessarily. The appropriate decision depends on the nature and severity of the suspected abuse or neglect, your loved one’s medical needs, and whether they remain safe at the facility.

If your loved one is in immediate danger, prioritize their safety and seek emergency assistance. In other circumstances, consider discussing the situation with medical professionals, the appropriate authorities, and an attorney before making decisions about a permanent move.

If you do decide to relocate your loved one, our guide to choosing a nursing home facility provides information that may help you evaluate other care options.

What if the nursing home says the injury was an accident?

Accidents can happen in nursing homes, but an injury may also point to an underlying issue with a resident’s care. Understaffing in nursing homes remains a prevalent issue across the state and can contribute to inadequate supervision or care, which can increase the risk of injuries.

If you have questions about how an injury occurred or the explanation provided by the facility does not seem consistent with what you observed, it is okay to ask questions and report your concerns.

What if the injuries were caused by another resident?

In some cases, a nursing home may be held liable for a resident-on-resident assault. Whether a facility may be held responsible depends on the specific circumstances, including what the facility knew or should have known about the risk and whether reasonable steps were taken to protect residents.

How much does it cost to speak with a nursing home abuse attorney?

The cost of speaking with an attorney depends on the law firm and the circumstances of the case. Henson Fuerst offers a free initial consultation for families who want to discuss concerns about nursing home abuse or neglect.

During a consultation, you can discusses the specifics of your case including what happened and what your legal options are.

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions

Families sometimes hesitate to question a nursing home because they worry about being perceived as difficult or because they aren’t sure whether their concerns are justified.

You have every right to ask questions about your loved one’s care.

If your loved one has an unexplained injury, ask what happened. If your family member’s condition has changed, ask why. If you notice repeated problems with medications, hygiene, nutrition, or supervision, ask the facility what it is doing to address those concerns.

You don’t need to accuse anyone before you have all the facts. You can simply document what you have observed and ask for an explanation. If the answers don’t make sense, or if the same problems continue, it may be time to take the next step.

Protecting Your Loved One Starts With Taking Your Concerns Seriously

If you notice unexplained injuries, changes in behavior, weight loss, poor hygiene, or other concerning changes in your loved one’s condition, it is reasonable to ask questions. You do not have to dismiss your concerns simply because you are not certain what caused them.

Trust your observations, document what you see, and report concerns to the appropriate North Carolina authorities when necessary. If you believe your loved one has suffered abuse or neglect, you may also want to speak with an attorney about your options.

The nursing home abuse attorneys at Henson Fuerst understand how difficult it can be to discover that a loved one may not be receiving appropriate care. Contact our law firm to schedule a free consultation and discuss your concerns with a member of the legal team by calling (919) 781-1107 or submitting a case evaluation form.