Placing a parent or loved one into a nursing home is one of the most difficult decisions you can make. Once you take this step, you want to make sure your loved one is well taken care of. Despite countless hours of research, talking with friends and colleagues, and reviewing online, you can inadvertently pick a negligent nursing home. 

Every day, senior adults are victims of neglect and abuse — an epidemic across the U.S. Nursing homes are profiting off the Baby Boomers, yet the quality of services rendered to our loved ones continues to decline. Worst of all, nursing home neglect and abuse is on the rise, causing approximately 1,800 deaths each year.

The good news is, Smolen Law can help. Our experienced staff can make sure your loved one undergoes no additional emotional, physical, or psychological harm. First and most important, we will get your loved one in a safe place immediately. We will file a complaint against the state and guide you through the reporting process, obtaining critical facts and evidence proving liability against the nursing home and/or its employees.

Nursing home abuse is not always glaringly apparent — neglect and abuse exist in many forms and don’t always give rise to physical injuries. Many victims are fragile and vulnerable, often unable to defend themselves or seek aid.

Types of Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse:

• Physical Abuse
  • This type of abuse is usually the most obvious. Physical abuse occurs when physical force is used to cause harm against a patient. Physical force includes (but is not limited to) hitting, inappropriate use of restraints, scratching, pushing, and even biting.
• Emotional Abuse
  • Emotional nursing abuse occurs when a caregiver or nursing home employee causes the victim psychological harm through ridicule, humiliation, intimidation, or by ignoring the victim’s needs.
• Sexual Abuse
  • When a nursing home staff member or resident makes an unwanted sexual advance or contact with a loved one, sexual abuse occurs. Sexual abuse of the elderly or mentally challenged often follows coercion, manipulation, or force.
• Financial Abuse
  • Stealing money or personal property is a common form of elder financial abuse. This can sometimes occur when a caregiver or other nursing home employee tricks or pressures an elderly loved one into revealing private information, such as credit card and bank account numbers. Coercing a victim to alter a deed, will, or trust for the benefit of another — usually an employee of the nursing home — is also a form of financial abuse.