What to do if you Suspect Nursing Home Abuse in Connecticut
As America’s population ages, the question of how best to care for elderly loved ones is being asked by more and more people. Though it may be your first instinct to house your family member in your own home, all too often the realities of a specific situation make this impossible. In some cases, becoming a caregiver is financially untenable because it would require leaving a career. For some families, the demands of other family members such as teens or young children make it impossible to provide the attention that the older loved one deserves. In some cases, the elderly person’s physical requirements simply preclude the possibility of providing care outside of a skilled nursing facility. If you find yourself in this type of situation and have a loved one living in a long-term care facility, it is essential that you thoroughly research all facilities that you are considering to determine whether nursing home abuse complaints have been filed against them and to follow up on your loved one’s care to ensure that they are safe and happy. If you suspect a problem, you need to know who to call and where to go for help. The compassionate attorneys at Jonathan Perkins Injury Lawyers can help you know what to do if you suspect nursing home abuse is taking place in Connecticut.
Nursing home abuse can take a number of forms and all of them are terribly upsetting. In many cases, the abuse takes the form of negligence, with patients not receiving the medical care that they need, the personal hygiene assistance that they require, or the engagement and attention that they deserve. In other situations, patients are subjected to physical, sexual, or emotional abuse. All of these examples require immediate attention and the most valuable resources available to you are often those provided by the state. According to the National Center on Elder Abuse, in the state of Connecticut, there are a number of agencies available for immediate assistance. These include:
- Connecticut Protective Services for the Elderly
- Connecticut Commission on Aging
- Connecticut Aging Services Division
- Connecticut Long Term Care Ombudsman
- Connecticut Office of Attorney General
The quickest and most effective call that you can make if you suspect that your loved one is in immediate danger is always your local police or dialing 911. If the situation is not urgent then your local Adult Protective Services agency is your best resource.
Whether you are a family member or friend, if you suspect that an elderly resident of a long-term care facility is being exploited or is a victim of nursing home abuse or negligence, it is essential that you act immediately. These loved ones are frequently medically vulnerable, and injuries can have a devastating impact. The attorneys at Jonathan Perkins Injury Lawyers are here to help. Call us for information on protecting your loved one’s rights.
