After learning that a loved one has been abused in a nursing home or by a home health aide, your family is likely devastated. There can be a lot of sadness and guilt at this time for you and your family members. And you might be wondering what you can do to rectify this situation and get justice for your loved one. In this section of our website, we outline several steps that you can take after abuse to get the victim and your family help.
Recovery From Abuse
Physical and mental recovery from abuse or neglect can be a long process. On this page, we offer tips to help your loved one through this process such as consulting a doctor, finding outlets for frustration, and helping your loved one face their fears. These tips are a good start in beginning the recovery process.
In addition, we have a page on 10 steps to take after abuse to not only help your loved one, but to contact the relevant authorities. Reporting the abuse will ensure that the perpetrator does not harm anyone else. In addition, reporting abuse could put your family in the position to file a personal injury claim down the line, if you so choose. You can find more steps to take after abuse on this page.
In some cases, after neglect or abuse happens in a home, staff members become whistleblowers in an attempt to rectify the situation. While this is not very common, it is possible. Learn more about whistleblowing here.
Resources
There are resources and services available for elderly victims of abuse. Your loved one might choose to take advantage of therapy or counseling resources. They also might choose to go to group counseling with those who have experienced similar issues. If you think that your loved one might benefit from therapy, you can learn more about therapy for abuse victims here. You can also reach out to organizations such as the State Department on Aging, the Ombudsman’s Office, the National Center on Elder Abuse, and more for assistance. Check out this page for a full list of organizations that you can contact for help. Adult Protective Services is another option that can help if your elderly loved one is the victim of neglect or abuse. Finally, check out this page for additional organizations that can help the elderly recover from neglect or abuse.
This section of our website outlines a few ways that you can start seeking help for an elderly loved one who has faced neglect or abuse. Of course, it is important to seek the help of a medical professional to determine any physical or emotional injuries. It is also a good idea to report the abuse to the police and to your local ombudsman. Next, take advantage of the resources out there for the elderly who are victims of abuse. Finally, consider gathering evidence of the abuse in the event that your family wants to file a personal injury claim. If you are interested in filing a personal injury claim, you can learn more about them here on our website.