When a loved one moves into a nursing home, families trust the facility to provide proper care, safety, and dignity. However, unexplained injuries, sudden behavioral changes, poor hygiene, missed medications, or other changes can sometimes indicate that something is wrong.
Knowing the warning signs can help families recognize potential problems, ask questions, and take steps to protect their loved one’s well-being.
What Is Nursing Home Abuse?
Nursing home abuse generally involves intentional harm or mistreatment of a resident. It can take different forms, including:
- Physical abuse
- Verbal or emotional abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Financial exploitation
- Improper use of restraints
- Other intentional mistreatment
An unexplained injury does not automatically prove abuse. Repeated injuries or inconsistent explanations, however, may warrant further attention.
What Is a Nursing Home Neglect?
Neglect generally involves failing to provide care or assistance that a resident needs. Examples may include:
- Inadequate food or fluids
- Medication errors or missed medications
- Poor hygiene
- Failure to reposition a resident with limited mobility
- Failure to respond to medical needs
- Inadequate supervision
- Unsafe living conditions
- Failure to follow a care plan
Whether a situation amounts to legally actionable neglect depends on the resident’s needs, the care provided, and the circumstances involved.
Warning Signs Families Should Watch For
Unexplained Injuries
Bruises, cuts, burns, fractures, or other injuries without a clear explanation should not simply be overlooked. Families can ask when the injury occurred and what treatment was provided.
Sudden Behavioral Changes
A resident who becomes unusually withdrawn, fearful, anxious, or reluctant to speak with caregivers may be experiencing a problem. Behavioral changes can also have medical causes.
Poor Hygiene or Untreated Wounds
Repeatedly soiled clothing, poor hygiene, untreated wounds, or unsanitary conditions may indicate that basic care needs are not being adequately addressed.
Pressure Injuries
Residents with limited mobility can be vulnerable to pressure injuries. Families may want to understand when one was identified and what care was provided.
Medication Problems
Missing medications, unexplained changes, incorrect doses, or repeated medication errors can create serious risks and should be discussed with the resident’s medical team and facility.
Weight Loss or Dehydration
Unexplained weight loss, dehydration, weakness, or changes in eating and drinking habits may require medical evaluation and closer attention to the resident’s care.
What Should Families Do If They Suspect Abuse or Neglect?
If concerns arise, families can take practical steps to protect their loved one and preserve information about what happened:
- Address immediate medical or safety needs.
- Seek medical attention when necessary.
- Document injuries or concerning conditions.
- Record dates, times, and details of incidents.
- Keep copies of medical and treatment records.
- Ask facility staff or management for an explanation.
- Preserve important communications.
- Report suspected abuse or neglect to the appropriate authority.
- Consider speaking with an attorney when serious harm or potential legal violations are involved.
Wisconsin Department of Health Services explains that suspected abuse, neglect, self-neglect, or financial exploitation involving an older adult or adult at risk can be reported to the appropriate county Adult Protective Services agency. In an emergency involving immediate danger, families should contact law enforcement or 911.
How Can Nursing Home Abuse Be Reported in Wisconsin?
The appropriate reporting option depends on the circumstances. Wisconsin Adult Protective Services can receive reports involving abuse, neglect, self-neglect, and financial exploitation involving older adults and adults at risk. Wisconsin DHS also provides a process for reporting suspected misconduct involving employees or contractors of regulated providers.
Families do not have to determine exactly what happened before raising a concern. Reporting what they have observed can allow the appropriate agency to assess the situation.
What Evidence Can Help in a Nursing Home Case?
Documentation can help establish what happened and how a resident’s condition changed. Relevant evidence may include:
- Medical and hospital records
- Medication records
- Nursing notes and care plans
- Facility incident reports
- Photographs
- Surveillance footage
- Witness statements
- Communications with facility staff
Families should keep copies of important documents and record significant conversations, including dates and the names of people involved.
Can Nursing Home Neglect Cause Serious Injuries?
Yes. Inadequate care may contribute to falls, fractures, pressure injuries, dehydration, malnutrition, infections, medication-related injuries, worsening medical conditions, permanent disability, or death.
Older adults may already have medical conditions or limited mobility, which can make the consequences of inadequate care particularly serious.
An injury alone does not establish neglect. The resident’s condition, the care provided, and the available evidence must be considered.
Can Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect Lead to a Wrongful Death Claim?
In serious cases, alleged abuse, neglect, or other misconduct may contribute to a resident’s death and raise potential wrongful-death or other legal claims.
These cases may require examination of medical records, facility records, caregiver conduct, and other evidence. A resident’s death while living in a nursing home does not automatically establish legal responsibility.
Because wrongful-death claims can involve specific legal requirements, families should seek advice based on the individual circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
What are common signs of nursing home abuse?
Unexplained injuries, sudden behavioral changes, poor hygiene, untreated wounds, medication problems, unexplained weight loss, dehydration, and unsafe conditions may be warning signs.
-
How do I report suspected nursing home abuse in Wisconsin?
Suspected abuse, neglect, self-neglect, or financial exploitation involving an older adult or adult at risk can be reported to the appropriate county Adult Protective Services agency. Wisconsin DHS also provides information for reporting suspected misconduct involving regulated providers.
-
What if I am not sure abuse or neglect occurred?
You can document what you observed and raise the concern with the appropriate authority. You do not necessarily need to know exactly what happened before reporting a concern.
-
Can nursing home neglect cause serious injury?
Yes. Depending on the circumstances, inadequate care may contribute to falls, fractures, pressure injuries, dehydration, malnutrition, infections, and other serious complications.
-
Can nursing home abuse result in a wrongful-death claim?
In some circumstances, abuse, neglect, or other misconduct may contribute to a resident’s death and potentially support a legal claim. The applicable legal issues depend on the facts and evidence.
Speak With a Wisconsin Nursing Home Abuse Attorney
When a loved one is living in a nursing home, significant changes should not be ignored simply because their cause is unclear.
Paying attention to warning signs, asking questions, documenting concerns, and reporting suspected mistreatment can help protect a resident’s safety and well-being.
If you believe a loved one has suffered harm because of nursing home abuse, neglect, or inadequate care, MacGillis Law Group, LLC can review the circumstances and explain the legal options that may be available.
