All states in the country are strict about the standards that should be upheld for nursing homes. It is important that vulnerable people who are residing in these homes are protected by the law, so that action can be taken if the standards are not adequate.
If you have a loved one who is residing in a nursing home in Connecticut, it is important that you understand the laws in place to protect them. In doing so, you can think about taking action if you become concerned about their welfare.
How is nursing home abuse defined in Connecticut?
Abuse is a broad term that can refer to many different types of treatment. In the case of a nursing home resident, abuse might be considered to be physical, emotional or financial.
Physical abuse could be the act of restraining the nursing home resistant or subjecting them to unnecessary pain. It could also constitute the act of intentionally withholding medication as a form of torture or punishment.
Unfortunately, emotional abuse can be equally pervasive. It could come in the form of bullying and teasing, or it could include manipulation in order to make the nursing home resident fearful, ashamed or deceived.
Financial abuse is often perpetrated for personal gain. This may include the act of forcing the resident to lie about what they spent their money on. It could also involve someone befriending the person in order to benefit financially from them.
In Connecticut, there are mandatory reporting laws
Certain people in society have a legal obligation to report nursing home abuse. This law extends to doctors, surgeons, nurses, social workers, physical therapists, psychologists and police officers. This means that if they have a good reason to suspect that the abuse of an elderly person is taking place, they are legally obligated to report their observations to Social Services. If they do not report such suspicion, they could be fined or even imprisoned.
It can be difficult to spot nursing home abuse because those perpetrating it will likely be well-practiced in disguising such treatment. It is important that you are vigilant and that you observe any changes in your loved one’s behavior and mental well-being.
