Denver Nursing Home Abuse

The Meaning of Nursing Home Abuse

Unfortunately, many victims of nursing home abuse (sometimes called “elder abuse”) are unable to report mistreatment themselves. As a result, many people don’t understand the true scope of nursing home abuse. Often, this kind of abuse includes one or more of the following:

• Physical harm
• Sexual abuse and assault
• Mental and emotional abuse
• Deliberate isolation
• Theft or financial exploitation

Often, in a court of law, neglect is also considered to be a kind of abuse. If staff members do not provide a physically secure environment, offer adequate social opportunities, provide quality food, and ensure access to medical treatment when needed, their actions may be considered neglect.

While individuals who abuse vulnerable seniors are responsible for their own actions, facilities can contribute as well. Understaffing, creating a stressful work environment, and not properly screening new hires can all increase the likelihood of abuse.

How Do You Know If a Loved One Is Being Abused?

Unfortunately, abusers often strategically choose victims they think will be less likely (or even unable) to report the abuse. If a nursing home resident has few friends or family members, has difficulty communicating, or has Alzheimer’s or similar memory issues, they may be at greater risk.

No matter your loved one’s situation, you should be vigilant in keeping an eye out for signs of abuse. Many people like to think they would be the first to notice something if their loved ones were targeted, but nursing home abusers have often sharpened their skills over the years and are adept at remaining undetected. 

Each time you call or visit your loved one, watch for these signs of abuse:

• Being emotionally withdrawn or hesitant to speak
• Sudden or gradual behavioral changes
• New injuries, especially if your loved one can’t explain how they happened
• Developing bedsores
• An unexplained lack of mobility
• Uncharacteristically poor hygiene
• Trouble accessing their finances
• Unexplained charges on their bank accounts or credit cards
• Becoming extremely anxious when family members leave
• Sudden weight loss
• Dehydration
• Marked changes in sleeping habits
• The nursing home becomes hesitant to allow visits or explain problems

If you’re very close to your loved one, it’s important to trust your gut instincts. If something tells you there’s abuse going on behind the scenes, do your best to gather more information from your loved one.

How a Denver Nursing Home Abuse Attorney Can Help

Because nursing home abuse is a crime, you might wonder why it’s important to talk to a Denver nursing home abuse lawyer if your loved one has faced neglect or abuse in a nursing home. 

Criminal charges can hold abusers accountable to an extent, but they don’t help your loved one get the care they need to heal from the abuse. They also usually don’t result in stolen funds being returned.

However, a nursing home abuse attorney might be able to help your loved one recover financial compensation. Depending on the circumstances of your loved one’s case, we may be able to pursue individual staff members, the facility itself, or both for the neglect or abuse of your loved one.

Of course, money cannot change what happened, but it may be helpful to your loved one in a variety of ways, including:

• Covering medical costs associated with the abuse
• Paying for therapy and other kinds of psychological treatment
• Replacing stolen funds
• Helping them to relocate to another nursing home or hire an in-home caregiver
• Compensating them for physical and emotional pain

Each case of nursing home abuse is different, and it’s impossible to know how much your loved one’s case may be worth without taking a closer look. When you set up a free consultation with us, our Colorado nursing home abuse lawyers can examine your case and help you to better understand your options going forward.

What To Do if You Think Your Loved One Is a Victim of Nursing Home Neglect or Abuse

Many victims of nursing home abuse are unable to advocate for themselves. If you suspect your loved one has been targeted, it’s up to you to help them. Here’s what to do.

Report It

The first thing you should do is report the abuse to the Colorado Department of Human Services, Adult Protective Services, or the police. This is the most important step. 

Law enforcement or local government agencies should be able to intervene on your loved one’s behalf, and they may even be saving other nursing home residents from the same abuse.

Talk to an Attorney

You should contact our office as soon as possible after filing a report. Generally, Colorado has a two-year statute of limitations for nursing home abuse. However, in some cases — like if your loved one is housed in a government care facility — the statute of limitations may be shorter.  

Has Your Loved One Been Abused in a Denver Nursing Home?

If your loved one has suffered abuse at the hands of people who are supposed to care for them, those people should be held accountable. At Bachus & Schanker, we advocate for victims and their families. 

Citations:

Adult Protective Services. (2024).
Elder Abuse: How to Spot Warning Signs, Get Help, and Report Mistreatment. (2024).
Nursing Home Abuse & Hospice Care. (2024).

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