Choosing to place your loved one in a nursing home or assisted living facility is one of the most important decisions a family can make. You trust the facility and its staff to provide safe housing, nutritious meals, and compassionate care for someone who can no longer live independently. A nursing home or assisted living facility that neglects or abuses your loved one has betrayed that trust. Unfortunately, the signs of nursing home neglect or abuse are not always obvious. Knowing what to look for and what to do if you suspect nursing home neglect or abuse is critical to protecting your loved one.
Key Takeaways
- The phrases “nursing home abuse” and “nursing home neglect” are often used interchangeably, but they refer to different types of failures by a nursing home or assisted living facility that cause harm to older adults.
- Common forms of nursing home neglect or abuse include physical abuse, emotional abuse, and financial abuse.
- If your loved one experienced a serious injury or is in immediate danger, you should take them to the nearest emergency room.
- In a non-emergency situation, you can try discussing the matter with the facility director or report the suspected neglect or abuse to state authorities.
- An experienced nursing home neglect and abuse attorney can evaluate your situation and explain your options.
What Is Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse?
The phrases “nursing home neglect” and “nursing home abuse” are often used together or interchangeably, but they represent different types of failures by the nursing home and its staff.
“Nursing home neglect” refers to a situation in which a nursing home or assisted living facility fails to provide the necessary care and services required to maintain a resident’s physical and mental health and well-being.
“Nursing home abuse” refers to any physical, emotional, psychological, or financial harm caused to an older adult in a nursing home or assisted living facility.
What Are Signs of Nursing Home Neglect or Abuse?
The signs of nursing home neglect or abuse can be subtle, especially when we want to believe our loved one is being cared for. Knowing the common signs of nursing home neglect or abuse can help you protect your loved one.
Some common signs of nursing home abuse or neglect include:
Physical Changes
Physical changes in your loved one can be a sign that something is wrong. Be on the lookout for:
- Unexplained injuries, such as bruises, cuts, lacerations, fractures, or burns for which the staff cannot provide a reasonable, documented explanation.
- Bedsores (pressure ulcers), a breakdown of the skin commonly caused by failure to reposition a resident frequently enough. When left untreated, bedsores can quickly develop into Stage IV ulcers that can lead to life-threatening sepsis and severe pain.
- Frequent falls or head injuries, often caused by a lack of adequate supervision, understaffing, or a failure to properly identify the resident as a fall risk.
- Sudden weight loss or dry mouth and cracked lips caused by dehydration, often due to a failure to assist with meals caused by understaffing.
- Wandering or elopement, which can occur when a resident exits the facility and is injured due to exposure to extreme heat or cold, or being struck by traffic.
- Poor hygiene, such as odor, matted hair, or stained clothing.
Emotional Changes
Emotional abuse occurs when a resident experiences emotional harm caused by threats, insults, humiliation, or fear. While emotional abuse is believed to be one of the most common forms of elder abuse, it can be one of the most difficult to detect. Signs of emotional abuse in nursing homes and assisted living facilities include:
- Changes in personality, such as a loved one who becomes unusually quiet, depressed, or withdrawn.
- Fear or anxiety, particularly around certain staff members.
- Loss of interest in activities, such as a loved one who suddenly stops engaging in hobbies or visiting with other residents.
- Reluctance to speak when staff is present, which could be a sign that the resident fears retaliation for reporting mistreatment.
Financial Abuse
Financial abuse occurs when a caregiver steals a resident’s money or misuses their money or other assets. Be on the lookout for:
- Missing money or valuables
- Unexplained withdrawals or charges to bank accounts
- Unusual bank activity or frequent transactions that your loved one cannot explain
- Changes to legal documents, such as a Will, Power of Attorney, or beneficiary designations, especially if these changes were influenced by staff members
Facility Conditions
When you visit your loved one at a nursing home or assisted living facility, be aware of any unsanitary or hazardous conditions in common areas or their room. When rooms, bathrooms, shared spaces, and kitchen areas are not properly sanitized, illnesses can result.
What Can I Do If I Suspect My Loved One Is Experiencing Nursing Home Neglect or Abuse?
If you suspect your loved one is experiencing nursing home neglect or abuse, there are several steps you can take, depending on the circumstances.
- If your loved one is in immediate danger or has suffered serious injuries, call 9-1-1 or take them to the nearest emergency room.
- If the situation is not life-threatening, you can request a temporary transfer to another facility while the matter is investigated.
- Write down details, including dates, times, names of staff members, and what you saw and heard. Take photos if possible, and, in cases of suspected financial abuse, save financial records.
- You can discuss the suspected neglect or abuse with the facility director.
- You can contact the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) Complaint Unit by calling 1-800-342-0553 or filing a complaint through their online portal.
- The Long-Term Ombudsman Program advocates for nursing home residents and investigates complaints about nursing home care. Call them at 1-800-282-1206.
- Ohio Adult Protective Services can investigate suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of adults over age 60.
You should also contact the experienced nursing home neglect and abuse attorneys at Robenalt Law. We can evaluate the situation and provide valuable advice on how to move forward.
Contact Robenalt Law Today
Robenalt Law has offices in Cleveland and Columbus, and handles claims of nursing home neglect and abuse throughout Ohio and nationwide. Call our Cleveland office at (216) 223-7535 or our Columbus office at (614) 695-3800 or contact us online to schedule a free, confidential, no-obligation appointment to discuss your situation and how we can help.
