Q: If you suspect abuse in a nursing home, what steps should you take?

A: If you are an employee or a health-care professional, you are a mandatory reporter of elder and dependent adult abuse and must file a report with Adult Protective Services or the police.

If you are a family member, friend or casual observer of abuse in a nursing home, it may be reported to the police, the department of health services or your county’s Long-term Care Ombudsman Program. 

You may also speak to the facility’s administrator or other senior staff person to alert them to what is happening so that they can take corrective measures. Think about transferring the loved one to the hospital or another facility to remove her from the situation and so that she can be medically and psychologically evaluated.

Janet Morris is a practicing attorney in the area of elder law with Bet Tzedek Legal Services, The House of Justice, in Los Angeles. Through her Family Caregiver Project she assists elders and their caregivers with a variety of legal issues. Janet is an executive board member of the California Coalition of Caregivers and sits on the board of the Alzheimer’s Association, California Southland Chapter. She has co-authored numerous publications including the “Caregiver Companion.”  Fluent in English and Spanish, Janet has given hundreds of speeches in both languages. In 2005, she received the Caregiver of the Year Award from AARP and KCET. In 2007 she received an award from MetLife for her contributions to the area of caregiving. Send your questions to Janet@smartnow.com.