How To Report Poor Nursing Home Care in Toledo

Recognizing substandard care as early as possible is ideal, as it could prevent injury and help residents receive the respectful and loving care they deserve.

In Toledo, knowing what to look for to identify and report inadequate care in assisted living facilities is helpful.

Common warning signs include:

• Unexplained bruises, cuts, sores
• Emotional withdrawal, fear, irritation
• Unwashed clothing or bedding, lack of bathing, dirty living conditions
• Sudden or significant change in weight or appetite
• Issues with medication
• High staff turnover or overworked and inadequate staff

If you suspect poor care has occurred in an assisted living facility, address it immediately.

Restoring proper care could include filing complaints with authorities, moving to a different nursing facility, or taking legal action.

Here are some actionable steps to help report issues related to care in a Toledo assisted living facility:

Keep a Detailed Record of Any Issues Seen or Suspected

Document everything with photos, notes describing the dates and times of incidents, names, witness statements, and a thorough description of the concern or problem.

Maintaining a record of all problems could help determine what happened and serve as invaluable evidence in any possible legal action.

Notify the Nursing Home Management

Sometimes, you can resolve issues with a clear but friendly conversation with nursing home management.

Tell them your concerns and see how they respond.

If management does not adequately resolve the problem, further reporting could be the next step.

File a Formal Complaint With State Authorities

The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) handles complaints against healthcare facilities, including nursing homes.

The best way to file a complaint is to complete the complaint form online.

Alternatively, call 1-800-342-0553.

After receiving a complaint, the ODH will conduct an unannounced investigation.

This could involve observations, interviews, and reviews of documentation.

Seek Legal Help

If the problem persists, you may need to seek legal help to protect your loved one from harm and ensure they receive adequate care.

At Zoll & Kranz, we could explain all your legal options based on your circumstances and do what we can to protect your rights.

Residents and family members can take proactive steps.

Thoroughly researching any healthcare facility before selecting it is a great way to avoid those with negative reviews or a poor reputation in the community.

Asking questions; building relationships with nurses, staff, and management; and regularly visiting your loved one in a Toledo care facility could prevent low-quality care, help you identify concerns early, and enable reporting of improper care.

Dealing with substandard care in home health care, assisted living, and skilled nursing facilities is distressing, whether you or a loved one is the patient.

For more information or assistance with how to report poor nursing home care in Toledo, contact Zoll & Kranz today.

Our team is dedicated to helping hold accountable those responsible for abusing, neglecting, or exploiting nursing home residents.

Our attorneys offer straightforward advice and guidance throughout the legal process and could explain your legal rights and options to help you make informed decisions.