How Do I Protect My Loved One

• Act quickly – You may only have one (1) year in which to take action.
  
  
• Report the abuse – Contact the County Department of Job and Family Services or the Ohio Department of Health.  These organizations may investigate the potential abuse and may fine the facility.
  
  
• Consider consulting with an attorney - When an elderly person's rights are violated, or when an elderly person is abused, that person and their family may need to consult with an attorney to enforce their rights.
  

If your loved one was the victim of nursing home abuse or neglect, you may feel “guilt” associated with your loved one’s injuries.    You should not feel guilty - you placed your loved one, and your trust, in someone else's care because you were unable to care for the elderly person, because your loved one needed additional help with Activities of Daily Living, or because your loved one was unsafe in his or her own home.  The nursing home violated that trust.  You are just as much a victim as your loved one.  Long-care facilities that break the law should be held accountable for their actions.