If a loved one is the victim of nursing home neglect, it is essential to act immediately. The first step is to report the suspected abuse to the facility’s administration. If the issues you have identified are not being remedied after addressing them with the administrators and staff at the specific facility there are several avenues you can consider. If a resident is in immediate physical danger or in danger of developing serious health issues, the local police or paramedics should be called to remove the resident and bring him or her to a safe location such as hospital or a different care facility. If any laws have been broken, the police will conduct a criminal investigation. Additionally, the New York State Department of Health maintains a Nursing Home Complaint Hotline that can be called 24 hours a day, seven days per week, at 1-888-201-4563. Written complaints can also be submitted to the New York State Department of Health online. In less urgent circumstances, the local ombudsman can be contacted. Ombudsmen serve as advocates for adults in nursing home and other long-term care facilities.
