If you select a nursing home to care for your loved one, you should be able to expect them to receive adequate support given their unique needs. Unfortunately, both neglect and abuse in nursing homes are relatively common.
Burned-out professionals and cost-cutting measures can leave older adults without the support they require. If you feel concerned about nursing home abuse in the Greater Miami area, you may need to take all of the six steps below promptly.
Step one: Document relevant evidence
Bruises and other visible injuries require photographs, if not medical reports, to validate the injuries an older adult sustained. Collecting medical records and any other relevant evidence can help validate claims that nursing home professionals mistreated or neglected an older adult.
Step two: Call the Florida Abuse Hotline
You can call 1-800-96-ABUSE (1-800-962-2873) or report concerns about abuse online using the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) digital portal.
Step three: Contact the Florida Long-Term Care Ombudsman
The Florida Long-Term Care Ombudsman is a volunteer organization that investigates complaints and advocates for the rights of those in long-term care facilities. You can notify them of your concerns by calling 1-888-831-0404 or submitting a complaint on their website here.
Step four: File a complaint with AHCA
The Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) helps establish and enforce care standards across the state. Long-term care facilities must comply with baseline requirements in order to continue operating lawfully in Florida. The AHCA can investigate claims of negligent care, especially in cases where neglect could have funding eligibility implications.
Step five: Contact local law enforcement
In cases where there is evidence of physical or sexual abuse, reporting the matter to local authorities is of the utmost importance. In addition to holding the facility accountable for allowing abuse to occur, it may be possible to prosecute the individuals intentionally harming the vulnerable older adults in their care. Local law enforcement can also assist in cases involving financial abuse, including exploitation, theft and identity theft.
Step six: Consult with an elder law attorney
There are legal professionals who specifically address issues that affect older adults. Their insight can help your family manage the other five steps recommended above.
An elder law attorney can assist you at every stage of the reporting process and facilitate a lawsuit if necessary. They can provide the guidance you’ll need to understand your rights and the obligations of long-term care providers when seeking justice.
