Your Guide to Nursing Home Abuse & Prevention
Millions of elderly adults live in nursing home facilities.
Every one of them deserves to feel safe, protected, and respected.
Don't Ignore the Signs of Abuse
No one wants to believe that their loved one is being harmed. However, you should never ignore the signs of abuse or neglect. You are your family member’s best defense against months or even years of abusive treatment and suffering. Learn to recognize the signs of mistreatment in a care home setting. Our comprehensive guides to nursing home abuse and neglect can help you better understand the real risks that our elderly community members face. It is our goal to educate seniors and their families on their rights and how to exercise them. Throughout this site, you will find in-depth information on laws and regulations, bedsore prevention, warning signs of abuse, and much more.
And if you discover that the worst has happened, there is help available. At My Nursing Home Abuse Guide, we believe that every family has the right to access knowledge about their loved one’s care, well-being, and civil liberties. And most importantly, what steps to take to hold those who have harmed your loved one accountable for their wrongdoings.
Nursing Home Abuse is Pervasive and Deadly
Rates of elder abuse are alarmingly high in long-term and community care settings. And during the course of a single year, two out of every three nursing home staff admitted to committing some form of abuse (WHO, 2022). With the rate of the world’s elderly population expected to grow exponentially over the next few decades, we are facing a real and life-threatening crisis. That’s why we know that the time to act is now.
At My Nursing Home Abuse Guide, we provide guides and resources to both nursing home residents and their families. That’s because we believe that knowledge is power. We want you to have access to knowledge about your rights, legal options, and related resources.
And most importantly, we want you to know that you and your family are not alone. While abuse and neglect can be highly isolating, having the right support and guidance can make all the difference. Because together, we are stronger.
YOU ARE NOT ALONE
Learn more about how you can protect your loved one today.
Our Guides
What are the most common forms of abuse? Can you spot the symptoms of neglect? Are bedsores an inevitable outcome of nursing home care?
We created our expansive and in-depth guides with families just like you in mind. These cover a wide range of topics involving abuse, neglect, and mistreatment in nursing homes and other residential care facilities. Below, you’ll find links to some of our most popular guides. If you don’t see the topic you’re looking for, be sure to explore our full list of guides. Our topics range from state and federal laws to bed rail injuries, and everything in-between.
Resources for Loved Ones
Frequently Asked Questions
Are bedsores treatable?
When caught early enough, bedsores are highly treatable. More importantly, though, they are also highly preventable. When nursing home staff fail to regularly turn patients or ignore the signs and symptoms of bed sores altogether, pressure ulcers can rapidly progress in stage, leading to infections and even sepsis.
Are infectious outbreaks normal?
In a clean, sanitized, and well-run nursing home, an infectious outbreak is never normal. And yet these facilities continue to expose residents to dangerous and even deadly illnesses through lack of proper and adequate care and cleaning protocols. To learn more about your loved one’s rights after contracting a serious illness, review our guide to infections and outbreaks in nursing homes.
Who is most at risk for nursing home abuse?
Abuse in a nursing home setting can happen to any resident of any physical or mental ability. However, certain factors increase the risk of being harmed. Alzheimer’s disease, gender, and familial status are all among the most common risk factors for nursing home abuse.
What are the most common signs of abuse?
Some of the most common signs of nursing home abuse include sudden changes in behavior, unexpected weight loss, new or worsening injuries, and financial discrepancies. Our guide covers other signs of abuse and neglect.
What laws protect nursing home residents?
Nursing home residents are protected by a variety of federal laws and regulations. You can also learn more about protections at the state level by reviewing our guides for Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri, and Ohio.
Is dehydration dangerous?
Yes, dehydration is very dangerous, especially for our older loved ones. Severe dehydration can cause a rapid heart rate, hallucinations, accelerated breathing, and even seizures. You can be the best advocate for your loved one by learning how to spot the signs of dehydration and malnutrition.