How to Report Nursing Home Abuse in Montana

The decision to transition a loved one into nursing care is not always something that happens overnight.

For many families, it is a gradual understanding that the loved one needs the kind of around-the-clock support that a nursing home can provide. Although it can be an emotional move, it won’t take long before there is peace of mind knowing your loved one is getting the kind of care they deserve.

While you’ve done your best to find the right facility that fits your family’s care requirements, you still need to be diligent about how that care is provided. Case in point: a recent article published in the Great Falls Tribune reported on one of the largest nursing homes in the state closing because of numerous patient safety violations.

It’s proof that you need to be on the lookout for signs of neglect and abuse on every visit to your loved one.

Recognizing the Signs of Nursing Home Abuse

Before you can report an incident, you have to recognize the signs of nursing home abuse.

These should be the things that significantly differ between your visits. Here’s what you have to look out for:

Unexplained Injuries

You might currently have your own bruises and cuts, but you probably have an explanation for each one. If you visit your loved one and notice bruises, cuts, or burns from the last visit, you need to ask what happened. If they don’t recall, the staff should have an explanation.

You also have to look out for bedsores. These indicate that your loved one is not being helped out of bed or moved around to avoid pressure point injuries.

Behavioral Changes

Are you noticing your loved one is acting significantly depressed? Are they withdrawing from contact with other residents? Are they afraid or hesitant around certain staff members? These could all be indications of emotional abuse or neglect.

That neglect can start if the staff isolates your loved one or verbally lashes out at them.

Poor Hygiene

Part of the primary care responsibilities of a nursing home is to provide proper hygiene to the residents. That includes providing clean clothing and bedding. It also means help with bathing, brushing teeth, shaving and combing hair.

Of course, there is always a chance you might walk into a visit just as an “accident” has occurred. But that means there should be a response to help clean up.

Malnutrition

In addition to personal hygiene care, the nursing home is supposed to provide nutritious meals.

Significant weight loss or constant thirst can be signs of malnutrition or dehydration, which can have a serious impact on a senior’s overall health.

Medical Neglect

Have you noticed that your loved one’s health needs are being ignored between visits? Staff should alert you to any significant health concern and provide a report with the recommended course of action. Without that, infections can occur, and a minor ailment can quickly turn into a serious illness.

If you notice any of these signs, you need to make a note of the date and time of the incident.

If applicable, you should also take photos to document what you’re seeing.

Reporting Options

When you have that initial evidence, you’ll have several options for reporting nursing home abuse.

Consider the following:

The Nursing Home Facility

The first option for reporting nursing home abuse is directly to the facility. There might be a plausible explanation for what has occurred. If your loved one is not in immediate physical danger, they will most likely remain in the facility. That means the nursing home staff needs an opportunity to address and remedy the situation.

When you do report an incident to the nursing home, it should always be in writing. If you fill out a report, obtain a copy before you leave. You can also report it by email, meaning you’ll have the exact time and day when you send the incident report.

You should also request a formal response from the nursing home staff on how they plan to handle the situation.

Adult Protective Services of Montana (APS)

Adult Protective Services of Montana is the state agency tasked with investigating reports of abuse, neglect, or exploitation targeted at seniors in any living situation, including nursing home residents. You can make a report by calling 1-406-444-4077.

Montana Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program

The Ombudsman Program is an agency that advocates for families who have concerns about their loved one’s care and aren’t sure where to go. Representatives from this office also act as an intermediary between the family and the care facility to find a fast resolution to the problem.

You can contact this office at 1-800-551-3191 or 1-800-332-2272.

Contact an Attorney

You will also benefit from bringing your concerns to attorneys who have experience with nursing home neglect cases.

The attorneys at Western Justice Associates have helped many families get to the bottom of their nursing home neglect concerns and have been successful in helping those same families achieve a measure of comfort from fair compensation.

We want to hear from you if you suspect something is wrong with your loved one’s care.