How to Report Nursing Home Abuse in Massachusetts

Elder abuse occurs when a caregiver harms an elderly person or withholds items necessary for daily living, such as medications, personal care and food. Elder abuse can occur in a family member's home, the elder person's home or a nursing home. Nursing homes may be understaffed or have under-trained employees, resulting in inadequate care, neglect and abuse. According to StateHealthFacts.org, Massachusetts cares for the state's elderly population with over 400 nursing home facilities statewide. Several organizations provide assistance for reporting elderly abuse. Follow these important steps to report nursing home abuse in Massachusetts.

Instructions

• 1

  Watch the caregiver carefully and define what kind of abuse is occurring. Observe who is perpetrating the abuse and any others who may be witnessing the abuse, so you can report to the authorities all persons who are involved. Nursing home abuse consists of physical abuse, neglect, emotional abuse, sexual abuse and financial exploitation.

• 2

  Document incidents that support your suspicion a caregiver is abusing nursing home residents. Record in clear, concise detail any signs of abuse you have witnessed, including specific dates, times and names of people present at the time of abuse. If another person has witnessed the abuse, ask them to co-sign your documentation.

• 3

  Research Massachusetts' laws that govern nursing home abuse. MassResources.org reports that any state resident 60 years of age and older is protected by Massachusetts elder abuse laws. Everyone should report elder abuse, but nurses, doctors, social workers, emergency responders and nursing home directors are required by state law to report abuse immediately and file a written report within 48 hours.

• 4

  Contact the Massachusetts Elder Protective Services, which is an organization that protects and provides support for seniors. Contact the EPS confidentially through the statewide Elder Abuse Hotline, available seven days a week and 24 hours a day. You may also report nursing home abuse through the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Government website, which will forward the necessary information to the EPS serving in the nursing home's area.

• 5

  Call the Long Term Care Ombudsman serving the area where the nursing home is located. A Long Term Care Ombudsman is a state-appointed advocate who offers a way for residents and their families to voice complaints without retaliation. Each Massachusetts nursing home is required to post the facility's ombudsman information in public view for easy access.

• 6

  File a report with the Massachusetts State police for criminal acts of elder abuse, such as theft, rape, battery and assault. Criminal acts are punishable by Massachusetts law and may result in jail time for the abuser. Make copies of all the written documentation you have gathered and include them with your police report.

• 7

  Report the case of elder abuse to Medicare, including copies of all documentation on the case. Nursing homes that receive federal funding for an elderly resident's care must comply with Medicare laws governing elder abuse. Medicare guarantees nursing home residents living in Massachusetts the right to dignity and respect, as well as the right to be free from abuse.