I read two comments on my local Nextdoor blog this morning. They reminded me that most people know nothing about nursing homes or about what to do if they or their loved ones are abused or neglected.

I urge readers to post the following as a public service on Nextdoor and your favorite social media:

Definitions of abuse and neglect in Nursing Homes:

• • Abuse: Willful infliction of injury, unreasonable confinement, intimidation, or punishment resulting in physical harm, pain, or mental anguish. Nursing home abuse can include physical harm, emotional distress, and other mistreatment inflicted upon elderly residents by caregivers, staff members, other residents, or visitors.
  • Neglect: Failure to provide goods and services necessary to avoid physical harm, mental anguish, or mental illness.

There are three sources of recourse for anyone having an abuse or neglect complaint with a nursing facility:

1. For an immediate threat response dial 911.

2. Virginia has a 24-hour elder abuse hotline at (888) 832-3858, or make an online report 

3. Even if you have done 1. or 2. above, please contact the Virginia Dept. of Health Complaint Unit at vdh.virginia.gov/licensure-an. VDH licenses all nursing homes and is required by federal law to investigate reports of patient neglect and abuse. Their nurse-led inspector teams are understaffed but good at what they do, and will get to it. The most threatening situations will get a fast response.

You might save a life.