Grandparents Day: A Time to Shine the Light on Nursing Home Neglect

With Grandparents Day upon us, the Poppe Law Firm wanted to highlight a very important topic – nursing home abuse and neglect. First, there are several ways you can report abuse and neglect.  You can call Adult Protective Services, in Kentucky call the Attorney General’s Patient Abuse Tip Line, contact the Office of Inspector General, or in an emergency, call 911.   When making a report you should include as much specific information as possible. 

Second, if you are considering contacting or hiring a law firm to look into a potential case, you should research the firm’s experience in handling such cases and look at their results.  The Poppe Law Firm is experienced in handling abuse and neglect cases across the Commonwealth of Kentucky and beyond.

Types of Elder Abuse in Nursing Homes

1. Physical Abuse: This involves any non-accidental use of force against a resident, leading to pain, injury, or impairment. Examples include hitting, slapping, or improper use of physical restraints.
2. Emotional or Psychological Abuse: This form of abuse can be less visible but equally damaging. It includes verbal insults, threats, humiliation, or social isolation. Emotional abuse can have severe long-term effects on a resident’s mental health and well-being.
3. Neglect: Neglect occurs when a caregiver fails to provide necessary care, resulting in harm or risk to the resident. This can include neglecting personal hygiene, failing to provide adequate food or fluids, or ignoring medical needs.
4. Financial Exploitation: This involves the illegal or improper use of a resident’s financial resources. Common forms include stealing money, forging signatures, or manipulating a resident to make financial decisions that benefit the abuser.
5. Sexual Abuse: Any non-consensual sexual contact or behavior directed towards a resident is considered sexual abuse. It can involve physical acts or verbal behavior.

Preventing elder abuse involves a combination of vigilant monitoring, strong regulatory oversight, and community advocacy. Families and residents should stay informed about their rights and regularly communicate with nursing home staff. Advocacy groups and legal professionals play a critical role in pushing for stronger laws, better enforcement, and increased transparency in the long-term care industry.

This fall season, take a moment to send a card to a nursing home resident, or participate in a local nursing homes trick-or-treat with your kids – it really does make a difference to the residents! And don’t forget your own Grandparents on Sunday, September 8!