Key Takeaways
- Nursing home abuse is often underreported, allowing many perpetrators to go unpunished.
- Warning signs include trouble sleeping, depression, confusion, weight loss, visible trauma, agitation, withdrawal, poor hygiene, and bed sores.
- Physical, emotional, sexual, and financial abuse may all present differently, but these signs are common indicators.
- Report suspected abuse to the facility’s staff or your relative’s doctor to confirm concerns.
- If abuse is witnessed directly, contact law enforcement and consult a personal injury attorney to protect your loved one and pursue accountability.
Nursing home abuse is a serious crime that shouldn’t go unanswered. Sadly, it’s also a crime that is vastly underreported, which means that many perpetrators never have to answer for the harm they caused.
You can help hold negligent parties accountable by knowing the warning signs of nursing home abuse and how to report it properly.
Warning Signs of Nursing Home Abuse
There are several warning signs of nursing home abuse, and they vary slightly depending on the type of abuse involved (physical, emotional, sexual, financial, etc.). Some of the most common warning signs of nursing home abuse include the following:
- Has trouble sleeping
- Seems depressed or confused
- Loses weight for no reason
- Displays signs of trauma, like rocking back and forth
- Acts agitated or violent
- Stops taking part in activities they enjoy
- Looks messy, with unwashed hair or dirty clothes
- Develops bed sores or other treatable conditions
If you suspect your elderly relative has experienced abuse or neglect in their nursing home, bring it to the attention of the facility’s staff immediately. Your relative’s doctor may be able to look at their charts and confirm or deny your suspicions. If your relative’s doctor denies your suspicions but you still suspect abuse, it’s in your best interest to contact a qualified personal injury attorney who can help you.
If you directly witness abuse, contact the authorities. Law enforcement will launch an investigation and prevent any further abuse from occurring.
At Wagner Reese, our Indianapolis attorneys can help hold negligent parties accountable for their actions. Your elderly loved one deserves to reside in peace and dignity, and we’re committed to holding accountable anyone who violated that basic principle.
Contact us today at (888) 204-8440 to learn how we can assist you.
