Signs of Nursing Home Abuse and Nursing Home Neglect

While not always easy to do, there are signs you can pay attention to if you feel nursing home abuse or nursing home neglect is happening to your loved one. Before taking action, you’ll need to know what to look for. 

Emotional Abuse

Emotional abuse inflicted by a caretaker on their victim is not always visible, making it difficult to detect. Common indicators of emotional abuse include the caretaker engaging in behaviors such as isolating the victim, manipulating, and acting in an intimidating or threatening way.  

A victim might show signs of emotional abuse if they have sudden mood or behavior changes, especially when the abusive caretaker is around. Victims might also exhibit signs of depression, withdrawal, or anxiety.

If a caretaker is emotionally abusing your loved one, noticeable signs include a strained relationship with the caretaker, frustration, and even fear when interacting with the caretaker. 

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse tends to be easier to identify than emotional abuse because of the injuries that can be left behind. Physical abuse varies from physical neglect to abusive actions and behaviors that cause more serious injuries. 

Physical abuse can include: 

• Neglecting a resident’s basic hygiene needs, as this can lead to infections and other health-related concerns
• Leaving an immobile resident in their bed as this can cause them to suffer painful bedsores
• Hitting, kicking, tripping, or pushing a victim
• Causing a resident functional impairment, injury, illness, pain, or distress through other means of physical force

Injuries Commonly Associated With Nursing Home Abuse

Certain types of injuries are typically associated with nursing home abuse. Being able to identify these injuries can help you determine if abuse is happening and allows you to build a robust case against your loved one’s abusers. Common types of injuries can include: 

• Bed sores
• Broken bones
• Unexplainable falls and fractures
• Bed rail injuries
• Unexplainable infections or reoccurring infections
• Dehydration and malnutrition 
• Illness from withholding medication

What To Do if You Suspect Your Loved One Is Being Abused in a Nursing Home

Help is available if you suspect your loved one is being abused in a nursing home facility. Do the following to ensure your loved one’s health and well-being is taken care of:

• Remain calm: It’s important to remain calm and seek a rational and logical solution to answer your concerns. Acting out of anger and emotion will not remedy your concerns, which can sometimes harm your case. 
• Question the nursing home staff members about your suspicions:  Bring your concerns to senior staff members or facility doctors to get a clearer picture of the care your loved one is receiving.
• Speak with your loved one in private about your suspicions: In some cases, victims may try to minimize their experience for fear of upsetting their family or causing a scene. Asking questions can help you get a better sense of their experience at the nursing home. 
• Take notes, document the scene, and your observations: Be sure to date and time stamp your notes so you have a clear paper trail of your concerns.
• Contact the police: If there are clear signs of evidence that nursing home abuse is taking place, alert the authorities
• File a report: Report the suspected elder abuse to state officials. You can also report the abuse by calling the National Center on Elder Abuse at 1-800-677-1116. 
• Speak with a Colorado nursing home abuse attorney: An attorney can help you and your family understand your legal rights and options, what to do next, and put together a robust case against all negligent parties.

Bachus & Schanker Can Help if Your Loved One Has Experienced Nursing Home Abuse in Englewood, Colorado

Elder abuse laws in Colorado can fall under the state’s “crimes against at-risk adults” statute outlined in the criminal code § 18-6.5-103. An elder abuse attorney can help you and your family understand these laws and how they apply to your case. 

The team at Bachus & Schanker will work diligently to do the following: 

• Collect critical evidence that supports your case
• Investigate all parties involved
• Take over communication between you and all involved parties
• Negotiate a comprehensive settlement

What Damages Can Be Recovered for Nursing Home Abuse?

Nursing home abuse victims can recover compensatory damages when they bring forward an elder abuse lawsuit. These damages can include but are not limited to: 

• Pain and suffering
• Physical and permanent impairment
• Mental and emotional distress
• The cost of current and future medical bills
• Loss of income if it applies to your loved one’s case
• The cost of long-term care
• Costs of medical equipment

Call Englewood’s Nursing Home Abuse Experts at Bachus & Schanker

At Bachus & Schanker, our team of attorneys will go over everything you need to know about the next steps you should take when filing an elder abuse lawsuit. Work with an experienced Englewood nursing home abuse lawyer and get the justice your family deserves.

Adult Protective Services.
CO § 18-6.5-103.
Elder Abuse Statistics.
National Center on Elder Abuse.