The idea that nursing home abuse occurs can feel overwhelming and devastating, and something we may not want to believe happens. Sadly, nursing home abuse is a reality for many residents.
What is Elder Abuse?
According to the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA), elder abuse is "any intentional or negligent act by a caregiver or a trusted person that causes or creates serious risk of harm to an older adult."
The Office for Victims of Crimes reported in a 2018 Crimes Against Older Adults report that more than 50% of nursing home staff admitted to engaging in physical violence, mental abuse, or neglect of elderly residents.
Recognizing Signs of Nursing Home Abuse
Nursing home abuse can take many different forms, which can make it challenging to recognize that it is happening. If your loved one is in a nursing home, it is important to stay connected to them and to be aware of the signs of nursing home abuse.
Common signs of nursing home abuse include:
- Bedsores
- Unexplained bruises, cuts, or injuries, such as broken bones
- Burns
- Signs of physical restraints
- Wandering or elopement from the facility
- Signs of chemical restraints
- Overmedication
- Improper medication management
- Frequent falls or unexplained injuries
- Sudden behavioral changes in your loved one, such as increased agitation, increased aggression, becoming withdrawn, fear of certain caregivers, increased depression, or increased anxiety
- Choking or aspiration incidents
- Unexplained or sudden death of resident
- Bruises or injuries around the genital area (sign of possible sexual abuse)
- Vaginal or anal bleeding unrelated to medical conditions (sign of possible sexual abuse)
- Dehydration
- Malnutrition
- Sudden weight loss (or gain)
- Poor personal hygiene
- Unsanitary living conditions
- Lack of medical aids, e.g., glasses, walker, teeth
- Financial exploitation, e.g., unauthorized withdrawals, missing cash, sudden changes in financial situation.
- Medical treatment without consent
These signs can be grouped into the following categories:
- Physical Abuse
- Resident-on-Resident Abuse
- Sexual Abuse
- Neglect
- Emotional Abuse
- Financial Abuse
How Do I Report Nursing Home Abuse In Wisconsin?
- Call 911. If you or your loved one was physically or sexually assaulted, is in immediate danger, or requires police intervention, contact 911.
- Call the Wisconsin Elder Abuse Hotline. If you suspect elder abuse, you can report it online or call the Wisconsin Elder Abuse Hotline.
- File a Complaint with the Division of Quality Assurance (DQA). You can file a complaint online with the DQA or call the DQA at 1-800-642-6552 to report suspected elder abuse.
- Call Adult Protective Services. Contact the county's APS agency where the facility is located. Every county in Wisconsin has an APS unit that receives and investigates reports of elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation.
- File a Complaint with the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program. You can file a complaint online or call the Ombudsman at 1-800-815-0015.
How a Wisconsin Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Can Help
Often times, when a nursing home has committed wrongdoing, the nursing home corporation will viciously defend the case rather than accepting responsibility for their actions. Common defenses by the facility include the age of your loved one, your loved one's pre-existing conditions, the actions of your loved one (i.e., blaming your loved one), and unavoidability (e.g., bedsore was unavoidable, falls were unpreventable). The facility will also likely assert that the negligent conduct was not a cause of your loved one's injuries or wrongful death.
Having an experienced nursing home abuse lawyer can help you navigate the medical and legal complexities of nursing home abuse to help protect your rights and investigate the nursing home abuse allegations. A skilled nursing home abuse lawyer will gather evidence, interview witnesses, and work with medical experts to build a strong case so that your voice is heard and your story is told.
At Lojewski Abuse & Injury Law, Kristen understands the medical and legal complexities of nursing home abuse cases and can help you share your story and hold the responsibly parties accountable. Kristen pursues the truth to seek the money justice that you deserve.