Conducting a thorough Long Term Care Investigation (LTCI) requires asking questions that are tailored to the unique circumstances of each allegation and specific situation reported. The questions included in this guide are intended to serve as a resource to help investigators identify areas to explore and gather relevant information throughout the investigation. Not every question will apply to every case, and investigators are not expected to ask every question listed. Instead, use this guide as a reference to help generate meaningful, case-specific questions that support a comprehensive and well-documented investigation.
Rapport Building Questions
- I couldn’t help but notice _________________________ (picture on wall, crochet blanket, medal/award)… May I ask…
- May I ask what branch of the military you served in? Thank you for your service, sincerely.
General LTCI Questions
- How are you doing/feeling today?
- This is so simple but genuine regard often lays groundwork and opportunity to follow up on their statements regarding their health, care, how things are being addressed.
- Thank you for taking time to talk with me today.
- I would like to get your thoughts on the care you receive here? (i.e. Medications, meals, response by staff to your needs, incontinent care, turning/repositioning…)
- Where is your call light and what happens when you use it?
- What are some things that are important to you about the care your receive? (Independence, Facility working w/you on goals such as skilled etc., medication on time for pain…)
- Which Staff and Residents do you feel are in your corner and why?
- Please tell me about any situations that come to mind where Staff could’ve done better to help?
- In what ways do Staff help you?
- Tell me about Staff response if there’s a problem you bring to their attention.
- What would you tell a close friend or family who was considering coming to the Facility to stay?
- Are there some things you would like to see change/improve in your care? If so, what would that be?
1️⃣ Resident / Alleged Victim Interview Questions
Environment: Could you tell me what a typical day is like for you here? Who usually helps you with your morning routine?
Incident: I’m here because someone was worried about you with something that may have happened. Do you have any idea why someone would be worried?
Specifics of harm: Did anyone touch you in a way that made you feel uncomfortable or hurt? Did anyone say something that scared you?
Neglect indicators: Do you ever have to wait a long time for help after pressing your call light? Have you missed any meals or medications lately?
A. Orientation & Baseline
- Can you tell me your full name and date of birth?
- Do you know where you are right now?
- What day or time of day is it?
- How long have you been living here?
B. Open-Ended Incident Narrative
- Can you tell me what happened?
- When did this happen?
- Where were you at the time?
- Who was involved?
- Has anything like this happened before?
C. Abuse-Specific Questions
Physical Abuse
- Did anyone hurt you?
- How did you get this injury?
- Did someone grab, push, hit, or restrain you?
Sexual Abuse
- Has anyone touched you in a way you didn’t like?
- Has anyone asked you to do something that made you uncomfortable?
- Were there witnesses?
Verbal / Emotional Abuse
- Has anyone yelled at you, threatened you, or called you names?
- Do staff speak to you respectfully?
Neglect
- Do you get help when you ask for it?
- Are you getting help with bathing, toileting, eating, medications?
- Do you ever wait a long time for assistance?
Financial Exploitation
- Does anyone manage your money?
- Has money or property gone missing?
- Did you give permission?
D. Safety Assessment
- Do you feel safe here?
- Is there anyone you are afraid of?
- What would make you feel safer?
2️⃣Staff (Accused or Witness) Interview Questions
A. Background
- What is your role and shift?
- How long have you worked here?
- What training have you received regarding abuse/neglect reporting?
B. Incident-Specific
- Tell me what happened from your perspective.
- Where were you at the time?
- Who else was present?
- Did you observe any injuries?
- When did you report this and to whom?
C. Documentation & Procedure
- Did you document the incident?
- Were policies followed?
- Was medical assessment completed?
- Were supervisors notified immediately?
D. Prior History
- Have there been previous concerns involving this resident?
- Any prior disciplinary actions?
3️⃣Administrator / Management Interview Questions
- When did you first learn of the allegation?
- What immediate actions were taken?
- Was the alleged perpetrator removed from resident contact?
- Were required reports made (state agency, law enforcement, ombudsman)?
- Can you provide staffing schedules for that shift?
- Provide policy on abuse prevention and reporting.
- Were background checks completed on involved staff?
- Has this facility had prior similar allegations?
4️⃣Witness (Residents / Visitors) Questions
- What did you see or hear?
- Where were you standing?
- Did anyone else observe it?
- Did the resident say anything afterward?
- Have you seen similar behavior before?
5️⃣Medical & Records Review Checklist
Investigators typically request:
- Care plan
- Incident reports
- Skin assessments
- Medication Administration Records (MAR)
- Staffing assignments
- Video surveillance (if applicable)
- Training records
- Prior complaint history
6️⃣Environmental Assessment Questions
- Was the call light within reach?
- Was the room clean and hazard-free?
- Were restraints in use?
- Adequate staffing levels?
- Any broken equipment?
7️⃣Capacity & Consent Assessment (If Relevant)
- Does the resident understand what happened?
- Can they describe consequences?
- Is there a legal guardian or POA?
- Was consent freely given?
8️⃣Closing Questions for Any Interview
- Is there anything else you want to tell me?
- Is there anything you are worried about?
- Can I contact you again if needed?
