Who do I contact to report nursing home abuse or neglect?
In South Carolina, if you believe that a nursing home resident has been a victim of abuse or neglect, contact the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS). SCDHHS is the agency responsible for investigating allegations of abuse and neglect in nursing homes. You can contact SCDHHS in three ways: by telephone, through their website, or through mail. To contact SCDHHS by telephone, call the SCDHHS Office of Licensing and Certification at 803-898-2586. To do so through the website, visit their page at www.scdhhs.gov. To contact them through mail, send your complaint to the SCDHHS, Office of Licensing and Certification, P.O. Box 2029 Columbia, SC 29202-2029. In addition to SCDHHS, you can also contact the South Carolina Department of Aging. This department is responsible for protecting the rights of the elderly in nursing homes and can provide assistance with filing a complaint with SCDHHS. You can reach them at 1-800-868-9095. Finally, you can contact the police if you feel that the situation warrants it. If criminal acts are suspected, it is important to contact the police immediately to ensure the safety of the nursing home resident involved. In all cases, it is important to provide as much information as possible to the authorities. This includes information on the alleged victim, the nursing home staff member(s) involved, the type of abuse or neglect, and any evidence of the abuse or neglect.
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