Ask An Expert Archives
The questions and answers below are categorized under the following topic:
Consumer Protection Information
Questions:
- Can you help me find information on how to formally complain about my parents’ physician?
- What agency should I contact if I suspect my loved one is being neglected at her nursing home?
- Do we have any legal recourse with the nursing facility if my loved one falls or injures themselves while under their care and supervision?
Questions and Answers:
Can you help me find information on how to formally complain about my
parents' physician? I would like to do so with both the state and city.
The Department of Health Professions receives complaints about health
care practitioners who may have violated a regulation or law. Complaints
for all
the licensing and regulatory Boards should be submitted to the Enforcement
Division.
In your complaint you should include the following information:
- Name, address and telephone number (unless reporting anonymously)
- Practitioner's name whom you are reporting
- A detailed summary of your concerns
- Any copies of documents that would be related to your concern if applicable.
Your complaint may be submitted in writing, by fax, telephone, e-mail, in person, or anonymously to:
Virginia Department of Health Professions 6603 West Broad Street, 5th Floor
Richmond, Virginia 23230-1712 Telephone: 1-800-533-1560 (804) 662-9579 (804)
662-9934 (804) 662-9902 Fax: (804) 662-7079
Back to Top
I suspect that a loved one is being neglected at her nursing home. What agency
should I contact to address my concern and help eliminate nursing home neglect?
Every Area Agency on Aging offers a long-term care ombudsman program. Long-
term care ombudsmen assist citizens when their rights have been violated
in a long-term care facility, nursing home or assisted living facility. While
residing in a long-term care facility, people have the right to be treated
with consideration and respect.
If you feel that any of these rights have been violated, a long-term care ombudsman can provide information about long-term care services; identify, investigate and resolve complaints; represent residents before government agencies; help pursue legal and other means to assure residents' rights; advocate and be a source of knowledge about public policy related to laws and regulations related to the health, safety and rights of residents.
To locate an ombudsman who can help you in your area visit www.seniornavigator.org
and type in the topic "ombudsman" and your ZIP code.
Back to Top
My father lives in a nursing home where he recently fell while using a walker
and being assisted by a nurse's aid. He broke a collar bone and needed four
stitches in his head. Do we have any legal recourse with the nursing facility
for letting this happen while he was under their care and supervision?
There are two services that can help you assess your legal options in this
type of situation; they are a Long Term Care Ombudsman and the Adult Protective
Services of the Department of Social Services.
Long-term care ombudsmen help elderly people living in: a long-term care facility; a nursing home; a board and care home; an assisted living facility; or participating in an adult care facility. They help citizens when their rights have been violated in a long-term care facility.
The article, "Adult Protective Services in Virginia," explains what
is considered adult abuse, what to do if you or a loved one has been mistreated,
and the role of Adult Protective Services in Virginia. You may view this article
by visiting www.seniornavigator.org, typing in the topic Adult Protective Services
and your ZIP Code.
Back to Top
Copyright 2008 SeniorNavigator.org ® All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Use | Our Sponsors and Partners |
Privacy Statement |
Home |
Contact Us | Data Update
We subscribe to the HONcode principles of the Health On the Net Foundation
