Bothered By What You Saw at Grandma's MN Nursing Home? |

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Feb
11

By: Olson, Poole & Envall, P.A.

Bothered By What You Saw at Grandma’s MN Nursing Home?

Millions of Americans live in long-term care facilities. Unfortunately, abuse and neglect aren’t as uncommon as we wish in these situations.

That’s why it vital that if you have a loved one living in a nursing home, you familiarize yourself with the signs of abuse and neglect, keep an eye out for them when you visit, and know what to do in order to help put a stop to any abuse.

Learn more below about nursing home abuse and neglect, how to report it, and legal actions you can take against a nursing home in Minnesota.

Common Signs of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect

First and foremost, you must establish if there is even anything to be concerned about regarding the treatment your loved one is receiving in a nursing home.

Caring for an elderly person is difficult, and it isn’t always what you imagine it will be. That said, it’s important to learn to look for these common signs of abuse and neglect to give you some idea of what may be going on:

Infections
Head injuries
Malnutrition
Dehydration
Falls
Fractures
Emotionally agitated or upset
Withdrawn behavior
Weight loss
Unexplained injuries
Reluctance to speak in front of staff members
Unclean conditions
Bedsores
Sudden and unusual changes in behaviors such as fear of being touched
Desire to be isolated from others
Frequent illness or illnesses not promptly reported to the family or physician
Heavy sedation or medication
Injuries that require hospitalization or emergency treatment

Reporting Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect in Minnesota

If you suspect that there is abuse or neglect going on, then there are a few things you should do to report it. There are three primary points of contact you can (and should) make.

Contact the Proper Authorities

First, file a complaint with the Minnesota Adult Abuse Reporting Center. You can call 24 hours per day, 7 days per week to report abuse either by phone or online. After the report is received, the appropriate investigative agency is contacted and given the details. It can be handled by the Minnesota Department of Human Services, the Minnesota Department of Health, or a county social services agency.

Contact the Doctor

Whoever is the primary care doctor for your loved one in a nursing home should also be contacted so that you can report your concerns. You may also reach out to any social worker or elder patient advocate they may have been assigned. It’s important that you do not seek advice from anyone directly related to the nursing home that your loved one resides in. They may not be reliable and could be looking out for their own best interests in the advice they give.

Emergencies

If you feel there is an emergency, don’t wait for help. Call 911 to get immediate attention. Don’t take chances with the health of your loved one by waiting if you feel they are in danger. Once they are removed from the situation, then you may need to contact an attorney to find out what you should do next.

Legal Options for Minnesota Nursing Home Abuse

If authorities find that your friend or a family member has been neglected or abused in a nursing home, then the facility can be held liable. The company that owns the facility and the individuals that come into contact with your friend or family member each have a duty of care to their patients. If that duty is violated and you can prove it in court, then you may be able to seek damages on behalf of your loved one.

Nursing home abuse and neglect is an emotional issue, but you have the power to do something about it if someone you care about is facing ill-treatment. Don’t wait!

About the Author:

Andrew T. Poole is a Minnesota native who has served in the Army for more than 18 years and is currently a JAG lawyer in the Army Reserves in addition to serving as a partner at LaCourse, Poole & Envall. He has handled thousands of criminal and family law cases over the course of his career and has a firm belief that all hardworking Minnesotans should be entitled to the best possible legal counsel. Mr. Poole boasts a 10/10 Superb rating on Avvo, is Lead Counsel rated, and has been recognized multiple times by SuperLawyers, National Trial Lawyers, and others for his work.

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Jul
28

Suffering from a burn injury can be a life-altering experience, leaving victims with physical pain, emotional trauma, and substantial medical expenses. In Minnesota, burn injury victims face unique challenges in their journey to recovery. However, they are not alone in [...]

Feb
2

Maybe you were out drinking with friends and wanted to be responsible. Or your car broke down and you needed quick transportation. Perhaps you don’t even have a vehicle.

Whatever the situation, you called a rideshare service like you’ve done [...]

Jun
23

Kidnapping and stalking are serious criminal offenses that can have severe legal consequences in Minnesota. Being accused of these charges can turn your life upside down, affecting your personal relationships, reputation, and future opportunities. However, it is important to remember [...]

Jan
6

This time of the year a lot of people choose to travel. Whether it’s to warmer places to soak up some sun or colder areas to hit the slopes, the one thing that every place you can choose to go [...]

Jul
7

Ensuring the safety and well-being of our elderly loved ones residing in nursing homes is paramount. Unfortunately, nursing home abuse is a distressing reality that can affect vulnerable individuals. Recognizing the signs of nursing home abuse is crucial to protect [...]

Jul
21

Being charged with Title IX crimes in Minnesota can be an overwhelming and unsettling experience. Under Title IX, a federal law prohibiting sex discrimination in federally funded educational institutions, certain offenses such as sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic violence, dating [...]

Jun
16

Being accused of a crime can be a frightening and overwhelming experience, particularly for students who are also focused on their education and prospects. If you or a student you know is facing criminal charges in Minnesota, it’s essential to [...]

Jul
7

Divorce can be challenging and emotionally charged, but an uncontested divorce offers a more amicable and efficient resolution for couples seeking to end their marriage. In Minnesota, an uncontested divorce occurs when spouses agree on key issues, including child custody, [...]

Aug
4

Eye injuries can have devastating and life-altering consequences for victims, impacting their vision, daily activities, and overall quality of life. If you or a loved one has suffered an eye injury in Minnesota due to the negligence or wrongdoing of [...]

Mar
14

Winter weather in Minnesota can be beautiful, but it can also be treacherous. Slippery sidewalks and icy parking lots can make it difficult to get around safely, and they can also increase the risk of slip and fall accidents.

If [...]

Dec
17

When a child is born, a special bond forms between a baby and their parents. Children rely on both of them for care, to meet their basic needs, and to teach them about the world.

The state of Minnesota recognizes [...]

Dec
17

Minnesota is known for many things – and one of them is long snowy winters. For many Minnesotans, pulling out their parks, donning their boots, and shoveling some snow is simply par for the winter course.

Unfortunately, it’s also the [...]

Nov
25

When people say that “crime doesn’t pay,” they’re not exactly being truthful. While it is true that crime won’t end well for anyone involved, it can end in expenses for both the perpetrator and the victim.

Courts in Minnesota often [...]

Nov
20

The Americans with Disability Act (ADA) was groundbreaking legislation that sought to help those with disabilities reduce instances of discrimination in the workplace.

Just as with most legislation, though, it’s a law that not every employer observes at all times [...]

Nov
11

Most people are familiar, thanks to television and movies, with the idea of a restraining order. Still, orders for protection can be difficult to understand for those involved in personal situations of domestic violence.

In Minnesota, there are three different [...]

Nov
6

Even though many Minnesota voters want to see the blanket legalization of marijuana in the state, the recreational use of marijuana is still illegal. Minnesota statutes still very much align with federal laws on marijuana being used recreationally.

That doesn’t [...]

Oct
29

Minnesota has already seen snow this fall – and it’s only going to keep on coming. In fact, according to the National Weather Service, Duluth averages below freezing temperatures in November and 9 days of snow.

The weather is only [...]

Oct
22

While opioid addiction continues to ravage families across the United States, Minnesota is working hard to help keep drug offenders from prison.

They do so by helping them into treatment programs through specialized Drug Courts. They’ve even created a sub-court [...]

Oct
22

When you turn on the news today, you hear a lot of talk about law and order. In Duluth, there’s a focus on law and order but not in the way you may think.

According to the Duluth Police Chief, [...]

Oct
8

Car accidents happen, but when there are children involved it can turn something terrible into something even more tragic. Case in point, a freight truck struck a car in Minneapolis, killing two of the three occupants in the car and [...]

Oct
8

Recently, the Minnesota Legislature has proposed a new set of legislation for child custody agreements. This new legislation, known as HF 887 and HF1666/SF 1295, is significantly more strict in how it views parental custody.

Specifically, it holds that both [...]

Oct
1

In Minnesota, there are certain criminal records that can be expunged. However, it’s a complicated and somewhat slow process – or at least it can be if you don’t have an attorney who can help.

There are a lot of [...]

Oct
1

Generic semi trucks speeding on the highway at sunset – Transport industry concept with semitruck containers driving to the mountain pass – Warm editing with pop filtered sunshine and blurred edges

Semi-trucks are vital to our nation’s infrastructure and are [...]

Sep
18

The sudden and untimely loss of a loved one is emotionally devastating, and even more so if the death could have been prevented. Even if the responsible party did not act intentionally, your loved one paid with their life and [...]

Sep
17

Minnesota law does not provide a specific age or circumstances under which a child can be left home alone or under the care of another child. However, there are general laws that require adequate and appropriate supervision of minor children.[...]

Sep
10

Drunk driving, despite the best efforts of those in law enforcement and the community, continues to happen. In Minnesota specifically, the number of deaths related to drunk driving accidents continues to increase.

In 2018, there were 371 traffic fatalities reported, [...]

Sep
10

With its icy winters and busy city roads, Minnesota sees its fair share of car accidents. Recent data from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) reveals the extent of our state’s traffic crash problem.

According to the report, there [...]

Sep
10

When it comes to COVID-19, it seems as if frightening information is constantly surfacing in the media. Take, for instance, the Journal of the American Medical Association study from April 2020.

In this study, it reported that 88 percent of [...]

Aug
26

If you’re injured by a dog bite in Minnesota, pain and fear can creep into your life long after the physical wounds have healed. Victims of dog bites have protections under the law in Minnesota, so it’s important to understand [...]

Aug
26

Family court and criminal court are two distinct systems of law, and it’s common for lawyers to practice either family or criminal law. In some cases, attorneys do practice both.

Family and criminal courts are separate branches of law, and [...]

Aug
18

Protests over the death of George Floyd have been intense over the past few weeks. Tens of thousands of protestors hit the street to have their voices heard over what was perceived to be police brutality.

In response to these [...]

Aug
18

Anyone with a vehicle in Minnesota knows about the “no-fault” car insurance policy required in our state. But what does that mean if you’re in a car accident? Is there any recourse if you’re injured? How do you go about [...]

Aug
18

Child support is an important part of family law in Minnesota.

It’s one of the most important types of support offered to children, helping kids receive the care they need to grow into functional adults. Because of this, the legal [...]

Aug
6

Although hundreds of new COVID-19 cases are still being reported in Minnesota each day, restrictions are easing up around the state. More businesses are able to reopen, pay their employees, and return to a sense of normalcy. If you’ve been [...]

Aug
6

Domestic violence is rampant in Minnesota and the US as a whole, and the number of cases has seen a dramatic uptick during the COVID-19 pandemic. A likely contributing factor? Victims and abusers in closer proximity more often and/or for [...]

Aug
6

Minnesota personal injury law can be complicated. There are many rules and regulations and then exceptions to these rules and regulations.

If you’ve sustained a personal injury and you believe that it was due to the negligence of another, the [...]

Jul
17

Social Security was created in 1935 to help promote economic security for Americans. Most people associate it with the benefits retired people receive, but that’s not the only type of social security benefits out there.

In fact, there are three [...]

Jul
3

One of the most troubling aspects of the COVID-19 crisis has been the stories coming out about nursing home abuse happening in cities throughout the United States.

Everything from physical abuse of patients to residents diagnosed with the virus being [...]

Jun
23

If you’ve lived in Northern Minnesota for a long time, you understand that accidents in Duluth can happen in the blink of an eye. Whether you were in an auto accident, or slipped and fell on the ice, it is [...]

Jun
23

Getting injured on the job in Minnesota can be overwhelming and complicated. It’s important that if you’ve been injured at work, you get the care and treatment you need. At LaCourse, Poole & Envall, P.A., our experienced worker’s compensation lawyers [...]

Aug
16

Aug
4

Jul
28

Jul
21

Jul
7

Jun
23

Jun
16

Jun
9

May
25

May
19

The Right[...]

May
19

Apr
28

Child[...]

Apr
14

Mar
29

Mar
24

Mar
14

If [...]

Feb
23

Domestic violence is a crime that the state of Minnesota treats with the utmost seriousness. In fact, our state has a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of violence within the household.

Domestic violence can take many forms, including physical, emotional, [...]

Feb
23

Feb
10

Feb
2

Maybe you were out drinking with friends and wanted to be responsible. Or your car broke down and you needed quick transportation. Perhaps you don’t even have a vehicle.

Whatever the situation, you called a rideshare service like you’ve done [...]

Jan
27

Even when the negligent [...]

Jan
16

Jan
6

Dec
15

Regarding drug crimes in Minnesota, even prescribed drugs can lead to severe penalties.

When the police are examining drug trafficking or possession crimes, they look at the type of drug involved in the case and the amount in possession at [...]

Dec
15

However, snowmobiling isn’t all [...]

Dec
2

In Minnesota, there are tens of thousands of car accidents each year. While the reasons behind these accidents vary, one of the most preventable reasons these accidents occur is distracted driving.

That is why one of the most important things [...]

Nov
23

Shoplifting is [...]

Nov
18

Nov
9

A criminal record is something that can add a lot of complications to your life. It can impact your reputation, your ability to find work, or even your capacity to find a place to live.

However, Minnesota offers something to [...]

Oct
27

As of September 2021, [...]

Oct
27

In [...]

Oct
14

A school is supposed to be a place where your child is safe. But just as with everywhere else you can go, accidents happen – especially when children are around.

When kids get hurt at school, whether in the classroom, [...]

Oct
7

Sep
29

The possession of drugs in Minnesota is a serious crime, but your sentence if found guilty can range quite a bit.

Drug crimes can be misdemeanors or felonies, depending on how much of a controlled substance you are found with [...]

Sep
23

Sep
16

Understanding [...]

Sep
16

In a divorce, [...]

Sep
1

Anyone who is [...]

Aug
17

It’s valuable for citizens [...]

Aug
17

Aug
5

However, [...]

Jul
29

Jul
22

Jul
15

Jul
1

Divorce is a process that is rooted in conflict. It’s rare for two parties to agree on everything during the divorce process.

In some situations, one spouse may not even want a divorce at all while the other spouse very [...]

Jun
9

When you get a divorce, you expect your ex-spouse to follow the obligations outlined in your divorce decree. But sometimes, the person to whom you were married falls short.

If your ex doesn’t follow the specifics in your divorce decree, [...]

Jun
9

Cars travel at high [...]

Jun
9

May
13

When it comes to raising kids there are two certainties: It’s expensive, and it’s going to continually change.

Between the cost of food, childcare, education, extracurriculars, and housing, a lot of parents struggle to meet their children’s needs. Most parents [...]

May
13

Apr
27

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, getting a divorce from your spouse is the only option you have. But it’s a big decision – not something you should just jump into feet first.

The truth is, there is a lot to [...]

Apr
27

Minnesota become one of many states in which revenge porn is illegal in 2016. Since then, there has been an uptick in the prosecution of cases involving revenge porn.

What happens between two consenting adults is not the business of [...]

Apr
14

Apr
7

Mar
25

Like many other states, Minnesota has strict laws regarding controlled substances. Those who violate these laws can face serious, life-altering penalties.

It’s important for every citizen of Minnesota to understand drug laws and the crimes that can stem from them [...]

Mar
4

Medical malpractice is something that occurs everywhere, and each state has its own laws surrounding medical malpractice claims, including Minnesota.

Many people struggle with understanding whether or not their case falls under the umbrella of medical malpractice. What is important [...]

Mar
4

Feb
17

In Minnesota, drug charges can be quite serious. If you are accused of something such as criminal drug possession, it’s a crime that, if convicted, can impact you for the rest of your life.

What can make drug possession charges [...]

Feb
4

Why? Because there [...]

Jan
28

Jan
20

Accidents happen. And when you’re driving a car on Minnesota roads, the chances of an accident happening are fair – so it’s important to be prepared for incidents on the road.

Most people prepare for car accidents by buying vehicles [...]

Jan
20

In Minnesota, car accidents are unfortunately one of the most common types of personal injury claims. So, if you were involved in a car accident over the holidays, rest assured you’re not alone.

In fact, there have been many accidents [...]

Jan
7

If you are found operating a vehicle while intoxicated in North Carolina, then you will face a DWI charge – and that can come with significant penalties.

A Minnesota DWI can send you to jail, make you responsible for steep [...]

Jan
7

Dec
16

Dec
1

Nov
17

Nov
10

Oct
27

Oct
1

Just as in other states, Minnesota takes threats and violence between members of the same household very seriously – and they take action to protect those who are vulnerable.

Minnesota provides victims of domestic violence with a form of legal [...]

Sep
17

Labor Day weekend is about saying goodbye to summer for another year, but it can have one lasting impact you may not have planned for – a DUI.

Driving under the influence is a very serious crime in Minnesota that [...]

Sep
10

In Minnesota, drug laws are strictly enforced. If convicted of drug crimes in the state, you can face severe penalties that will alter the course of your life forever.

That’s why if you’re charged with a drug crime in Minnesota, [...]

Sep
10

If you’ve been charged with [...]

Aug
20

Aug
6

Being arrested for a sexual conduct offense in Minnesota is a difficult and alarming situation to go through. You may have many questions about being arrested and what that can mean for your future.

In Minnesota, there are several consequences [...]

Aug
6

Jul
23

Jul
7

Dogs are known as man’s best friend. While it is true they can bring happiness to the lives of many people, being bitten by a dog can cause a lot of pain and distress.

Dog bites impact the lives of [...]

Jul
2

Many older people live in care facilities across Minnesota. Unfortunately, along with the number of people who live in these environments, neglect and abuse occur more frequently than one may hope.

According to the federal government and Minnesota state government, [...]

Jun
23

Jun
10

As sunny summer days take the reins, drivers might notice more motorcycles on the road.

If you’re a motorcycle enthusiast, you already know it’s the perfect time of year to cruise. Even if you appreciate your bike more for gas [...]

Jun
4

DWI charges can turn your life upside-down. A one-night mistake could lead to thousands of dollars in fines and legal fees, plus jail time.

For some, it can initiate a downward spiral: you lose your license, which keeps you from [...]

Jun
4

May
21

Getting a divorce is a complicated matter. Just as no two relationships are alike, no two divorces are alike either.

That’s why the state of Minnesota provides several routes for couples to execute a divorce. There are requirements that must [...]

May
14

In the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood, a [...]

May
7

Police dogs should be shining examples of a well-trained dog. But even these highly-behaved working dogs act like untrained animals sometimes.

In Duluth, the city awarded a woman $50,000 after she was bitten during a police dog encounter. The victim [...]

Apr
29

A car accident doesn’t automatically hold you [...]

Apr
29

Apr
22

Street drugs are dangerous, as evidenced by the number of people who die each year from accidental drug overdoses.

This trend’s visibility has risen in recent years. The Brainerd Dispatch reported that, compared to 2019, four times as many counterfeit [...]

Apr
9

One of the most [...]

Apr
9

Officials in [...]

Mar
25

Mar
12

Assault is a charge that can happen almost anywhere and be perpetrated by almost anyone. In fact, under Minnesota law, you may be surprised to find out what type of actions can be charged as assault.

Recently, a Duluth firefighter [...]

Mar
3

Minnesotans are accustomed to their fair share of slippery conditions. That doesn’t mean that injuries from slip and fall accidents are ever something you should simply shrug off.

There are laws surrounding slip and falls, and the damages you can [...]

Mar
3

If you’ve decided to get a divorce in the state of Minnesota, then you know there are a lot of things to work out.

It’s vital to know what your rights are in a divorce, which is why you have [...]

Feb
11

Drinking and driving is never a good idea, but it becomes an even worse situation when an accident is involved, as one Minnesota man recently found out.

A 22-year-old man was convicted of killing three people in a car accident [...]

Feb
11

Millions of Americans live in long-term care facilities. Unfortunately, abuse and neglect aren’t as uncommon as we wish in these situations.

That’s why it vital that if you have a loved one living in a nursing home, you familiarize yourself [...]

Jan
29

Child custody arrangements in Minnesota can be difficult to navigate, but only because they are complex matters with a lot of requirements through the courts.

Even if your child custody arrangement was designed amicably, making changes is a process where [...]

Jan
29

It seems as if states all around Minnesota are making recreational marijuana legal. However, Minnesota doesn’t seem quite ready to make the leap – though some lawmakers are trying.

Last year, Democratic leaders in the legislature introduced a bill that [...]

Jan
8

When people think of statutory rape, they often think of young children being lured into unsafe situations by adults. That isn’t always the case.

It doesn’t happen with great frequency, but some high school teachers in Minnesota may be having [...]

Jan
8

It’s never an easy choice to move someone you love into a nursing home, but when you make that choice you’re putting a lot of trust in the people who run the facility.

The good news is that nursing homes [...]

Dec
24

Financial support is something a child needs from both parents. Under the law in Minnesota, children have the right for both their parents to financially support them.

Whenever a couple with children separates, whether they’ve been married or not, [...]

Dec
17

In movies and on television, the idea of conjugal visits in prison seems universal, but it’s actually not a reality in a good number of states, including Minnesota.

A petition made the rounds recently online to try to change this [...]

Dec
17

When a child is born, a special bond forms between a baby and their parents. Children rely on both of them for care, to meet their basic needs, and to teach them about the world.

The state of Minnesota recognizes [...]

Dec
17

Unfortunately, it’s also the [...]

Nov
25

Courts in Minnesota often [...]

Nov
20

The Americans with Disability Act (ADA) was groundbreaking legislation that sought to help those with disabilities reduce instances of discrimination in the workplace.

Just as with most legislation, though, it’s a law that not every employer observes at all times [...]

Nov
11

In Minnesota, there are three different [...]

Nov
6

That doesn’t [...]

Oct
29

The weather is only [...]

Oct
22

While opioid addiction continues to ravage families across the United States, Minnesota is working hard to help keep drug offenders from prison.

They do so by helping them into treatment programs through specialized Drug Courts. They’ve even created a sub-court [...]

Oct
22

When you turn on the news today, you hear a lot of talk about law and order. In Duluth, there’s a focus on law and order but not in the way you may think.

According to the Duluth Police Chief, [...]

Oct
8

Specifically, it holds that both [...]

Oct
1

In Minnesota, there are certain criminal records that can be expunged. However, it’s a complicated and somewhat slow process – or at least it can be if you don’t have an attorney who can help.

There are a lot of [...]

Oct
1

Semi-trucks are vital to our nation’s infrastructure and are [...]

Sep
18

Sep
17

Sep
10

In 2018, there were 371 traffic fatalities reported, [...]

Sep
10

According to the report, there [...]

Sep
10

When it comes to COVID-19, it seems as if frightening information is constantly surfacing in the media. Take, for instance, the Journal of the American Medical Association study from April 2020.

In this study, it reported that 88 percent of [...]

Aug
26

Family court and criminal court are two distinct systems of law, and it’s common for lawyers to practice either family or criminal law. In some cases, attorneys do practice both.

Family and criminal courts are separate branches of law, and [...]

Aug
18

In response to these [...]

Aug
18

Child support is an important part of family law in Minnesota.

It’s one of the most important types of support offered to children, helping kids receive the care they need to grow into functional adults. Because of this, the legal [...]

Aug
6

Minnesota personal injury law can be complicated. There are many rules and regulations and then exceptions to these rules and regulations.

If you’ve sustained a personal injury and you believe that it was due to the negligence of another, the [...]

Jul
17

In fact, there are three [...]

Jul
3

One of the most troubling aspects of the COVID-19 crisis has been the stories coming out about nursing home abuse happening in cities throughout the United States.

Everything from physical abuse of patients to residents diagnosed with the virus being [...]