Oct 15, 2025

Elder Abuse in Nursing Homes: How to Identify, Report, and Get Legal Help

Imagine visiting a parent in a nursing home or assisted living facility. At first, things seem routine. The nurses move about quickly. The halls smell faintly of disinfectant. Televisions murmur in the background.

But something feels off.

Maybe your parents’ mood is flat and distant. Maybe you notice unexplained bruises, sudden weight loss, or fear in their eyes when a specific aide enters the room. You ask about it, and the reassurance you get doesn’t sit well with you.

In this moment, gut instinct meets grim reality. Elder abuse and neglect are sadly not rare, random occurrences. Behind closed doors of nursing homes and assisted living facilities, abuse is more common than most realize… and it thrives in silence.

The most powerful thing you can do for your loved one is to get informed and take action. The steps you take today could not only protect your loved one but also help prevent future abuse for others. Your actions can make a difference. This guide from Sam & Ash Injury Law will walk you through how to spot elder abuse and neglect, intervene effectively, report what you discover, and get expert legal help.

What Is Elder Abuse and Nursing Home Neglect?

Elder abuse occurs when caregivers — in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, or home environments — harm or neglect older adults physically, emotionally, financially, or sexually.

Nursing home neglect happens when staff fail to provide proper care, leading to injury, illness, or emotional harm. These aren’t isolated incidents — they’re systemic failures that often require both reporting and legal action.

Elder Abuse and Nursing Home Neglect Statistics

Elder abuse and neglect in professional care environments are not speculative or “one-in-a-million” cases. They are a national crisis, particularly in nursing homes and assisted living facilities:

In institutional settings, two in three nursing home staff members admitted to committing elder abuse in the last year (World Health Organization).
About 1 in 10 nursing home residents experience some form of abuse (National Center on Elder Abuse).
A major study found that 44% of residents in nursing homes or care communities report being abused (Cureus via NHAC).
Abuse is even more prevalent among vulnerable residents: Nearly 50% of those with dementia experience abuse and neglect (National Council on Aging).

And those are just the reported incidents.

Warning Signs of Elder Abuse and Neglect

Abuse and neglect rarely announce themselves in obvious ways. Here are common (but not always recognized) signs to be vigilant for:

Physical Signs

Bruises, welts, or broken bones
Bedsores or pressure sores
Burns
Poor hygiene, dirty clothing, or soiled bedding
Sudden or unexplained weight loss
Dehydration or malnutrition
Frequent infections
Restraint marks on wrists or ankles
Unexplained hair loss
Recurring injuries
Vague or changing explanations for injuries

Potential Sexual Abuse Signs

Bruising around breasts, buttocks, thighs, or genital areas
Unexplained sexually transmitted diseases or genital infections
Unexplained vaginal or anal bleeding
Difficulty walking or sitting
Torn, bloody, or stained undergarments or bedding

Emotional & Behavioral Signs

Sudden uncharacteristic depression
Fear or anxiety, especially around certain staff or residents
Hesitation to speak openly or being unusually guarded
Changes in eating patterns
Changes in alertness
Mood swings or emotional withdrawal
Avoiding eye contact or speaking
Nightmares
Panic attacks

Financial/Material Signs

Missing belongings (cash, jewelry, credit cards)
Unexplained withdrawals or changes in banking
Unpaid bills for medical care
Abrupt changes to wills and power of attorney
Excessive gifts to caretakers
Financial activity that your loved one could not physically be able to go do

Neglect-Specific Signs

Unattended medical needs or lack of necessary aids
Persistent rashes or bedsores
Frequent falls
Unsafe or unclean living conditions (i.e., bedbugs or no running water)
Isolation or desertion

How to Prevent Elder Abuse and Neglect and Protect Your Loved Ones

Preventing elder abuse is not just the job of the nursing home or staff. Families and friends play a crucial role, too. Here are a few effective measures toward preventing abuse or further abuse:

Visit frequently and unpredictably: Regular presence can deter bad actors and help you spot developing issues.
Develop relationships with staff: Take the time to know who cares for your loved one, and ensure they know you are attentive and involved.
Maintain open communication: Encourage your loved one to tell you if something ever feels wrong or “off” to them, without fearing retaliation.
Keep records: Document bruises, weight changes, hygiene lapses, or concerning statements. Photos and logs are invaluable if you ever need to escalate the situation.
Participate in care planning: Attend meetings and review medical records. Ask deeper questions about medications and care routines.

Never write off a concern as “just part of aging.” Trust your intuition. Even subtle behavioral changes can indicate a deeper problem.

How to Report Elder Abuse or Neglect: Step-by-Step Instructions

If you suspect abuse or neglect, here are the steps you need to take:

Ensure immediate safety: Short-term, if your loved one is in immediate danger, call 911 right away. In the long term, consider whether the current living situation is best for your loved one, and either look for a new facility or explore in-home care options.
Remember, trust and open communication are key: Speak with your loved one in a private and safe setting. Ask direct questions about how their caregivers treat them. Be patient and supportive as they open up to you.
Document everything: Take dated photos of injuries, write down details about your suspicions, note staff names, and keep a log with times and dates of concerning events.
Contact a lawyer: An attorney who is well-versed in elder abuse can help you protect these rights, guide you through filing a claim or lawsuit, obtain a restraining order if needed, and get compensation for the harm your loved one went through.
Report the abuse to the facility and to local authorities: Voice your concerns with your loved one’s facility management. After that, file a formal report with your state authorities. Making a formal report launches an investigation, sometimes immediately. You don’t need full proof; just reasonable suspicion.

Reporting Elder Abuse in California

If you’re in California, call (833) 401-0832, and when prompted, enter your 5-digit zip code to be connected to the Adult Protective Services in your county. They are a key resource in investigating and addressing elder abuse.

Reporting Elder Abuse in Nevada

If you’re in Nevada, you can fill out this online intake report for Adult Protective Services, or call their statewide phone number (888) 729-0571.

What Happens After You Report Elder Abuse?

Here’s what you can typically expect after you report suspected elder abuse in California or Nevada:

Assessment: Authorities quickly look at the details of your report to decide if the situation is urgent or non-urgent, making sure anyone in danger gets help fast.
Investigation: An investigator may talk to the person at risk, their family, care staff, and any witnesses. Medical records and facility documents are often reviewed to check for signs of abuse or neglect.
Protection: If the abused person is in harm’s way, officials can require the abuser to leave or help transfer the resident to a safer place. Police may also step in if there’s evidence of a crime.
Follow-up: Agencies keep track of findings, may monitor the situation for improvement, or take steps like restricting a facility’s license or issuing fines if serious problems are found.
Legal action: When abuse or neglect is confirmed, cases can be sent to law enforcement for possible criminal charges, or to lawyers for civil lawsuits against those responsible.

When to Contact an Elder Abuse Lawyer

Elder abuse and neglect cause pain and destroy a sense of security for victims and their families. While reporting elder abuse to state agencies is a critical first step, administrative action is not always enough to deliver justice. You also need a tenacious legal advocate to hold facilities fully accountable and get the compensation you deserve.

When Should You Speak to a Personal Injury Attorney?

Physical harm: If your loved one suffers unexplained injuries, medical emergencies, or severe emotional trauma due to neglect or abuse—especially when there are costly medical bills or funeral expenses.
Financial exploitation: If there’s missing money, fraudulent account activity, or other signs of financial abuse.
Red flags from the facility: If staff try to cover up incidents, discourage questions, refuse access to records, or threaten or intimidate you for raising concerns.
No resolution: When government or regulatory complaints go unanswered, or the investigation outcome doesn’t address your concerns or provide closure.
You want justice and prevention: If your goal is not just to stop the abuse but to secure compensation and prevent future harm for your loved one or others in care.

How an Elder Abuse Lawyer Can Help Your Family

Investigate deeply: Lawyers can uncover facility histories, prior violations, or patterns of abuse that state agencies might miss.
Gather and preserve crucial evidence: Attorneys work with medical and legal experts to review records, document injuries, and build a stronger case.
Maximize your options: Our legal counsel will advise on whether to accept a settlement or take your case to court, always working for the best result, not just a quick fix.
Navigate legal deadlines: An attorney ensures all timelines and procedures for making a claim in California or Nevada are followed, so nothing is missed.
Fight for full compensation: This includes pain and suffering, medical costs, loss of dignity, and, in some cases, punitive damages to punish wrongful conduct.
Confidentiality and support: A good lawyer protects your family’s privacy and manages stressful communications with powerful companies, facilities, and their insurers.

A skilled personal injury attorney makes the legal system work for those who need it most. As soon as you have concerns about elder abuse or neglect, find a lawyer who has elder abuse case experience (like Sam & Ash). This ensures you have someone in your corner, every step of the way.

Why Choose Sam & Ash Injury Law?

Nobody should settle for uncertainty when it comes to justice in your personal injury lawsuit. If your law firm is running silent or treating you like just another file in the stack, it’s time to flip the script and demand better.

At Sam & Ash Injury Law, we know that every accident is personal, and so is your recovery. We believe you deserve what’s right.

Our team has a proven track record of helping clients in California and Nevada secure life-changing results. We handle every detail, from preserving evidence to negotiating with insurance companies, so that you can focus on healing.

We offer deep expertise in California and Nevada law with compassionate, client-focused service, and no fees unless we win your case.

At Sam & Ash, we are committed to:

Prompt communication: You will never be left wondering what’s happening with your case. We call back quickly, answer every question, and provide clear updates. You’ll always know what’s next, so you’re never in the dark or waiting for answers.
Proven results that speak for themselves: We bring years of successful case outcomes to the table. Our history of winning cases and securing strong settlements for clients in California and Nevada means you can trust we’ll fight for the best possible result in your case.
Keeping you informed with personalized care: We provide clear explanations of your options. We will never rush you to settle. We want you to feel confident in your decisions at every stage. We handle all the forms, deadlines, and conversations with insurance adjusters so you can focus on your recovery without extra stress. We want you to get the quality of service that makes you feel like you’re our only client.

Contact a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Today

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, don’t face the journey to recovery alone. Contact Sam & Ash Injury Law for a free, no-obligation consultation. We’ll answer your questions, explain your rights, and work hard to deliver fair compensation.

Call us today. Let us help you get the care and compensation that you and your family deserve.

Frequently Asked Questions About Elder Abuse

Q: What are the most common signs of elder abuse?
A: Unexplained injuries, fear of caregivers, poor hygiene, and missing money can all indicate abuse or neglect.

Q: Who do I contact to report elder abuse in Nevada?
A: Call Nevada Adult Protective Services at (888) 729-0571 or file an online report.

Q: Who do I contact to report elder abuse in California?

A: Call (833) 401-0832, then enter your ZIP code to reach Adult Protective Services (APS) in your county.

Q: Can I sue a nursing home for neglect?
A: Yes. A personal injury attorney can help you pursue compensation for medical bills, pain, and suffering.