According to the New York State Office of the State Long Term Care Ombudsman, nursing home residents have the right to reasonable standard of care that allows them to maintain a high quality of life. Federal laws provide many resources for those in long-term care and their families to ensure that rights are not violated. One of these is the complaint process through an ombudsman, who has the training, certification and resources to investigate problems identified by residents and family members and resolve them.

Many nursing home residents are unable to communicate the neglect or abuse they are suffering because of issues such as dementia. These people rely on family members to watch for signs of abuse and report them. According to the National Center on Elder Abuse, unexplained bruises, bedsores or sudden weight loss or gain are indications that a resident is being neglected or abused. Family members are encouraged to report suspicions to the appropriate authorities, such as New York Adult Protective Services, and the local ombudsman. If there is the potential for a life-threatening condition, a person should call 911.

Residents do not always have relatives who are close enough to visit every day. The New York Times reports that, in many situations, concerned family members have set up hidden cameras to review the level of care that is being provided. The New York state attorney general’s office has even used this method to discover abuse. Opponents of cameras believe that the constant monitoring violates privacy of residents, particularly when the room is shared. Some recommend posting a notice that the room is being monitored rather than hiding the recording device and getting signed consent from anyone who may share the room to avoid legal issues.