How to Report Nursing Home Abuse in Pennsylvania
Who to call, in what order, and what to write down first.
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In Pennsylvania, complaints about a licensed nursing facility go to the Department of Health, which licenses and inspects them. The Long Term Care Ombudsman advocates for residents and their families. Where a person is at immediate risk, call the police. Report first and document as you go.
Who does what
| Body | What they do |
|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Department of Health | Licenses and inspects nursing facilities, investigates complaints, issues findings that become public |
| Long Term Care Ombudsman | Advocates for residents and families, helps resolve concerns with the facility, free and confidential |
| Protective services | Investigates abuse, neglect and exploitation of older adults |
| Local police | Where there is an immediate risk, a physical assault, or a suspected crime |
| The facility itself | Has its own grievance process. Use it, in writing, and keep the copy |
Do all of it, and in writing where you can
These are separate systems and reporting to one does not report to the others. A regulator’s investigation is not a civil claim, and a civil claim does not trigger an inspection. They also produce different things: a state finding can become public evidence, while a facility grievance creates a dated internal record that is much harder for them to explain away later.
What to include
- The resident’s name and the facility’s name and address.
- Dates and times, as precisely as you can.
- What you observed, in plain factual terms rather than conclusions.
- Who you told, when, and what they said.
- Photographs where you have them.
“He had a stage three sore on his tailbone on 14 August and the aide said it had been there about two weeks” is far more useful than “he was neglected”.
Retaliation
Families frequently hesitate because they fear the resident will suffer for it. Retaliation against a resident for a complaint is unlawful, and residents hold protected rights under federal and Pennsylvania regulation.
Practically: report anyway, document the care before and after, and tell us immediately if it changes. A documented decline following a complaint is itself significant.
Reporting is not the same as a claim
None of these bodies will recover anything for your family, and none of them are subject to your two year deadline. Reporting protects other residents and builds the record. If you also want to know whether there is a claim, that is a separate conversation and it costs nothing.
The attorneys who handle these cases
Every one of these bar numbers is searchable on the Pennsylvania Disciplinary Board register. The person who takes your call is the person at your hearing.
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Kenneth R. Schuster
Founding Member
Read Kenneth’s background -
Justin M. Bernstein
Associate
Read Justin’s background -
Christopher D. Gasda
Associate
Read Christopher’s background -
Anthony S. Pinnie
Of Counsel
Read Anthony’s background -
Joseph J. Jachetti
Associate
Read Joseph’s background -
Andrew Valentin
Associate
Read Andrew’s background
Questions people ask us about this
Who do I report a Pennsylvania nursing home to?
The Pennsylvania Department of Health licenses and inspects nursing facilities and investigates complaints. The Long Term Care Ombudsman advocates for residents and families and is free and confidential. Where someone is at immediate risk or a crime is suspected, call the police.
Do I need to report to more than one place?
They are separate systems and reporting to one does not notify the others. They also produce different things: a state investigation can generate public findings, while a written grievance to the facility creates a dated internal record that is much harder for them to explain away later.
What should the report say?
Facts rather than conclusions. The resident and facility, dates and times, exactly what you observed, who you told and what they said, and photographs where you have them. A specific dated observation carries far more weight than a general allegation of neglect.
Will my relative be punished for complaining?
Retaliation against a resident for a complaint is unlawful and residents hold protected rights under federal and Pennsylvania regulation. Report anyway, document the care before and after, and tell us immediately if it changes. A documented decline following a complaint is significant in itself.
If I report it, is that the same as making a claim?
No. Regulators do not recover anything for your family and their processes do not pause your two year deadline. Reporting protects other residents and builds a record. Whether there is a civil claim is a separate question, and asking costs nothing.
Both Delaware County offices
Walk in, or call. Both are answered 24 hours.
Media Head office
334 W Front StMedia, PA 19063
Open 24 hours
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Serving central, north and west Delaware County.
Chester Satellite
405 Avenue of the StatesChester, PA 19013
Open 24 hours
5.0 from 5 Google reviews
Serving south and riverfront Delaware County.
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