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According to the New York Department of Health, it received over 12,000 reports of nursing home abuse in 2021. This is a frightening number, especially if you have a loved one living in a New York nursing home. 

Even if you take every reasonable step to ensure your loved one lives in a safe nursing home, there is a chance that they can be subject to abuse. When that happens, their safety often depends almost entirely on your ability to identify signs of abuse and act appropriately. The following are signs to watch for and steps you should take. 

FAQ: Recognizing and Responding to Nursing Home Abuse in New York 

What are the most common signs of nursing home abuse?

Common warning signs include unexplained bruises or injuries, sudden changes in behavior, fearfulness around staff, bed sores, poor hygiene, and decreased communication. Financial red flags—like unexplained withdrawals or expenses—can also signal abuse or exploitation. 

Why has my loved one stopped communicating as often?

If a nursing home limits or monitors your loved one’s phone calls, emails, or visits, it could be an attempt to isolate them and conceal abuse. This restriction of communication is itself a form of psychological abuse and should be investigated immediately. 

What should I do if my loved one has unexplained injuries or bruises?

Document the injuries, ask for detailed explanations from staff, and seek immediate medical attention if necessary. If the explanations seem inconsistent or suspicious, contact a New York nursing home abuse lawyer to investigate possible neglect or assault. 

Can nursing home abuse involve financial exploitation?

Yes. Some staff members misuse access to residents’ accounts for personal gain. Watch for unfamiliar charges, missing funds, or sudden financial changes. Always review your loved one’s bank statements and follow up on any irregularities. 

When should I contact a nursing home abuse attorney?

If you suspect your loved one is being mistreated—physically, emotionally, or financially—contact a New York nursing home abuse attorney as soon as possible. An attorney can help investigate the abuse, protect your loved one’s safety, and hold the facility accountable. 

Decreased Communication 

If somebody is abusing your loved one, it is probably a person in a position of authority. That person doesn’t want you to know that your loved one is being abused. One of the easiest ways to keep you in the dark is to limit your loved one’s ability to communicate with you. They may do things like: 

• Monitor phone calls or cut them short 
• Destroy your loved one’s phone or computer 
• Prevent mail from being sent 
• Limit visiting hours 

By controlling your loved one’s means of communication, their abuser can prevent them from sharing details of abuse. Furthermore, controlling communication is also a form of abuse. If your loved one doesn’t feel they can speak freely, they may suffer mental or psychological pain. 

If you notice that communication from your loved one has decreased or you have to jump through hoops to talk to them, this may be a sign of abuse. You should determine exactly what is disrupting communication and establish ways of restoring normal communication.  

If those new methods also start to fail, that is probably the best time to contact an attorney. 

Unexplained Bruises or Injuries 

Nursing home abuse often involves either neglect or physical assault. Both can result in unexplained injuries. 

If your loved one is being assaulted, a caregiver may be slapping them or restraining them against their will. In the best-case scenario, this results in serious bruising. In the worst-case scenarios, this may result in broken bones or even life-threatening injuries. 

Neglect can also result in physical injuries. For example, if a caregiver isn’t present to assist your loved one with certain activities, they may get hurt when performing them. If your loved one needs help showering and a caregiver doesn’t help, they are likely to fall, potentially breaking bones or suffering a concussion. 

Bed sores are also a common result of neglect. This occurs when your loved one is allowed to lie in bed for too long. These are pressure injuries that start as bruises and can eventually transform into infected open wounds. 

If your loved one ends up in the hospital without a good explanation, you should contact an experienced nursing home abuse lawyer immediately.  

Even if they aren’t hospitalized but have visible bruises or show pain while performing everyday activities, you should investigate. Some injuries may be hidden under clothing, so look carefully if you suspect abuse. 

Unexplained Expenditures 

Nursing home abuse doesn’t always involve physical or psychological harm. Perpetrators in a nursing home can also take advantage of your loved one financially. 

For legitimate reasons, various staff members at a nursing home often have access to your loved one’s financial information. For example, they may need access to purchase prescriptions for your loved one or to arrange outings. 

While this access is usually limited, abusive staff members may find a way around those limitations to steal from your loved one’s accounts. This theft usually appears as unexplained expenditures or withdrawals in their financial records. 

If you see an expenditure or withdrawal that seems suspicious, you should discuss it with your loved one as soon as possible. It may be a legitimate expense. However, if your loved one can’t identify a reason for it or has no recollection of it, you should consider consulting with a lawyer. 

You should also be aware that older adults are often embarrassed when they fall victim to a financial scam. Your loved one may not be entirely honest about financial abuse. You should follow up even if they don’t admit to being financially manipulated. 

When You Suspect Nursing Home Abuse in New York, Ask4Sam 

Your loved ones deserve to enjoy their later years, assisted by caregivers who look out for their best interests. If you suspect that your loved one is being abused, contact Silberstein & Miklos right away to schedule a free consultation.