We are veteran advocates . The amounts of patient abuse in Pennsylvania and other states is massive . The VA patient advocates cover up and will not report abuse cases to authorities as they work for the VA Medical Centers Director .
We have been told conflicting stories by employees within the area agency on aging as well as between the area agency on aging and PA state aging officials .
Some say that Veteran Medical Center Hospital or Nursing Home of VA facilities are investigates when families or others call them about abuse. Other officials of the area agency on aging claim that they cannot go into a Veterans Administration Hospital or medical center to investigate abuse as they can not enter a federal facility . Who is correct ? What outside agency outside of the Veterans Administration investigates abuse against our veterans ?
Why do VA officials, VA patient advocates, VA social workers, VA psychologists or psychiatrists etc refuse to inform nor post that veterans or families can report abuse and give them or post the numbers to the PA older adult abuse hotline or the Area agency on aging ?
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Its logical that a County agency cannot go into a federal facility. I would think though that like any LTC facility the State oversees the VA homes too. There are state Ombudsmen.
Looks like Country Mouse was able to find the info you need.
https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/facilities/nursing%20homes/Pages/Patients.aspx
About halfway down the page, you will see the instructions for making a formal complaint. I recommend you go to their own website because you can easily click on the link there and file your complaint online, but just in case you can't find it here is what it says:
How Do I File a Concern or Complaint?
Speak up, we're listening. To file a complaint:
call 1-800-254-5164
use the online complaint form
email c-ncomplai@pa.gov
send mail to:
Division of Nursing Care Facilities Director
Pennsylvania Department of Health
Division of Nursing Care Facilities
625 Forster St., Room 526, Health and Welfare Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120-0701
fax 717-772-2163
Callers to the hotline (1-800-254-5164) may speak directly with a Department of Health professional. If we are unable to take your call, please leave a voice message that includes the name of the facility, the specific issue related to care and services provided to residents/patients, and any details required for a thorough investigation to be completed. Callers must leave their name and telephone number for staff to return the call. Identity will not be released to the facility by leaving contact information for a return call.
For complaints regarding a personal care home or assisted living facility, call 877-401-8835.
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