How to Report Nursing Home Abuse in Ohio

Many nursing homes provide excellent care to elderly people and others in need of 'round-the-clock skilled nursing care, but occasionally physical, sexual or emotional abuse occurs in nursing homes. The National Center on Elder Abuse reports that as much as 10 percent of all elderly people experience abuse at some point but that only about 20 percent of those cases ever gets reported. Don't hesitate to report abuse that occurs in nursing homes; you could save a life.

Instructions

• 1

  Telephone the long-term care ombudsman in the region of the state in which the abuse occurred. As of April 2011, there are 12 regional departments in the state of Ohio. See the link in the Resources section to find the number for the office of long-term care ombudsman serving your area.

• 2

  Provide as much information as you can about the abuse that has or may have occurred, including the name and address of the nursing home, the name of the resident, the name of any staff involved if you know their names and a description of the abuse.

• 3

  Provide additional information about the nursing home resident involved, such as any problems with his physical or mental health that would make him particularly vulnerable to abuse or unable to report abuse on his own.