Elderly Abuse in Nursing Homes

What Is Nursing Home Abuse?

Elderly abuse in nursing homes refers to any action or lack of action that causes distress or suffering to a resident. Families rely on nursing homes to care for older relatives. Yet far too many facilities betray this trust and cause residents to needlessly suffer.

Key Elderly Abuse in Nursing Homes Statistics

• 2 out of 3 nursing home staff members reported that they had abused or neglected residents, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
• 33% of nursing homes receive citations for abuse and neglect each year, according to The Journal of Gerontology & Geriatric Research.
• More than 4 in 10 nursing home residents said they had been abused in a survey from Cureus. Even more shocking, 95% said they’d suffered neglect or seen another resident experience neglect.

Long-term consequences as a result of elderly abuse in nursing homes include physical injuries, mental health issues like anxiety, or even death.

However, elderly abuse cases in nursing homes often don’t get reported as residents may be unwilling or unable to speak out. If you’re worried that your loved one is suffering, you may need to step in to protect them.

Get a free case review to learn how the Victim Advocacy Center may be able to help your family pick up the pieces after nursing home abuse.

Types of Nursing Home Abuse

Elderly abuse in nursing homes can take several forms, each of which has its own warning signs and consequences. The types include physical harm, emotional mistreatment, neglect, sexual assault, and financial exploitation.

Learn more about the different types of abuse in nursing homes so you can take proactive steps to keep your loved one safe.

Physical Abuse of the Elderly in Nursing Homes

Physical nursing home abuse includes any form of assault and battery that leads to injury. This type can be committed by staff members, nurses, or other residents.

Examples of physical elderly abuse in nursing homes include:

• Being improperly restrained
• Hitting
• Kicking
• Slapping
• Shoving
• Tripping

Signs that your loved one has been physically abused include new, unexplained injuries like cuts, scrapes, bruises, or broken bones. Physical nursing home abuse can lead to long-term health complications or tragically cause residents to pass away.

In 2025, a 95-year-old nursing home resident with dementia was arrested for beating her 89-year-old roommate to death, according to NBC. The family of the resident who died has yet to receive an apology from the nursing home.

Emotional Nursing Home Abuse

Emotional elderly abuse in nursing homes may not leave physical injuries, but can profoundly affect residents’ mental health and well-being. This is the most common type of nursing home abuse, with 1 in 3 residents experiencing it, according to WHO.

Psychological nursing home abuse may include:

• Coercion
• Humiliation
• Isolation from friends and family
• Verbal threats

Residents who have been emotionally abused could go on to develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions.

Sexual Abuse of the Elderly in Nursing Homes

While less common than physical or emotional abuse, sexual assaults in nursing homes happen far too often and cause lasting trauma. More than 7 in 10 elder sexual abuse cases occur in assisted living facilities like nursing homes, according to Minnesota’s Office of Ombudsman for Long-Term Care.

Examples of sexual elderly abuse in nursing homes include:

• Inappropriate sexual comments
• Non-consensual touching of genitals
• Rape
• Unwanted kissing or hugging

A Virginia nurse aide is accused of sexually abusing three nursing home residents between August 2023 and January 2024 but never faced criminal charges despite a collection of evidence, according to a news report. A relative of one of the survivors was disappointed by the lack of justice.

If you or a loved one suffered elderly abuse in a nursing home, the Victim Advocacy Center is here for you. Call (877) 684-0487 to take the first steps toward justice.

Financial Elderly Abuse in Nursing Homes

Staff members may try to financially exploit nursing home residents whom they’re supposed to care for. In the worst cases, older people are left destitute after a lifetime of saving.

Financial elderly abuse in nursing homes includes:

• Opening new bank accounts or credit cards in the resident’s name
• Manipulating the resident to sign over power of attorney
• Stealing cash or checks
• Having the resident transfer deeds to homes, property, or vehicles

A Pennsylvania nursing assistant faced charges after she tried to cash a $900 check in August 2025. A nursing home resident received a fraud alert from her bank and contacted the police. The nursing assistant now faces counts of forgery and financial exploitation involving an older adult.

Neglect in Elderly Care Homes

Nursing home neglect includes any lack of care or treatment that causes harm to residents. It can be just as harmful as abuse. In the worst cases, it can lead to death.

Forms of elderly neglect in nursing homes include:

• Delaying care for injuries like falls
• Failing to maintain clean rooms or common areas
• Making mistakes with medications
• Not responding to resident calls or requests promptly
• Not providing enough food or water
• Not repositioning residents with mobility issues, leading to bedsores
• Severe weight loss

A North Carolina nursing home is facing a lawsuit after a resident with dementia developed a bedsore on her heel while recovering from COVID-19. The bedsore later became infested with maggots.

Signs of Elder Abuse in a Nursing Home

There are many possible indicators that an older adult you love has experienced elderly abuse in a nursing home. It’s important to look out for signs of abused elderly in nursing homes and promptly address them.

Common signs of elder abuse in nursing homes include:

• Changes in overall health or appearance: Signs of elder neglect include dirty clothes or bedding, malnutrition and dehydration, new or worsening bedsores, missed medical appointments or treatments, and more.
• Emotional and behavioral changes: If a resident is more fearful, withdrawn, or wary of certain staff members or other residents, it could be a sign that they’ve suffered elderly abuse in a nursing home.
• Financial changes: Signs of elder financial abuse include strange transactions, unpaid bills despite having enough money, new credit cards, or checks being made out to people you don’t know could all mean financial exploitation is occurring.
• Physical signs: Any new or worsening injuries could mean that your loved one has been physically assaulted or abused. Another red flag is if staff members brush off or downplay the injuries when you question them.

One of the best ways to spot cases of elderly abuse in nursing homes before they lead to serious complications is to regularly visit a resident, if possible. This can help you promptly address any concerns about nursing home care.

Get a free case review now if you’re worried that someone you love has suffered elderly abuse in a nursing home. The Victim Advocacy Center will listen to your story and help you get the resources needed to move forward.

Causes of Resident Abuse in Nursing Homes

Elder abuse cases in nursing homes have many possible causes. Not having enough qualified staff is a significant cause. With too few properly trained staff, residents run a greater risk of elderly abuse in nursing homes.

Common causes of elderly abuse in nursing homes include:

• Failure to vet residents: Nursing homes may sometimes admit residents with violent or aggressive histories. This can lead to resident-to-resident abuse in nursing homes, especially if there isn’t enough staff to respond to fights or disputes.
• Lack of background checks: In some cases, nursing facilities may not properly vet new hires. Some nursing homes have hired convicted felons with a history of violence as a result.
• Lack of training: Nursing homes should always properly train new hires to provide the best care possible. When they don’t, staff may wind up neglecting the needs of residents.
• Understaffing: Up to 90% of nursing homes don’t have enough staff, preventing residents from getting adequate care. This may lead to staff abuse in nursing homes, with employees taking out stress on residents.

No matter the cause, there is never an excuse for elderly abuse in nursing homes. Staff members and owners of nursing homes have a duty to care for and protect all residents. When they fail to do so, you may be able to hold them legally accountable for the harm done.

How to Prevent Nursing Home Abuse

While elderly abuse in nursing homes affects thousands of families each year, you can take steps to prevent it from worsening — or even from happening in the first place.

Key ways to prevent elderly abuse in nursing homes include:

1. Choose a highly rated facility: Always make sure to research nursing homes near you to see which ones have the best ratings. You can also use Medicare.gov’s nursing home comparison website to review ratings and see which facilities have been cited for abuse or neglect.
2. Visit a nursing home resident regularly: By making a point to see a nursing home resident on a consistent basis, you can stay more informed about their overall health and well-being. You can also make unannounced visits to observe the resident’s care and the facility’s cleanliness and staffing levels.
3. Monitor finances: Keep a close watch on your loved one’s financial transactions and watch for unusual activity or sudden changes to legal documents.
4. Use technology: If you can’t visit in person, use video calls or monitoring technology to stay in touch with loved ones and observe their care remotely.
5. Take action promptly: If you notice that your loved one is suffering from severe or worsening health issues, don’t wait. You may want to take them to a hospital or move them home temporarily to prevent them from suffering more. There are also essential resources you can access after elder abuse in nursing homes.

Staying proactive can go a long way to ensuring that an older person you love gets the highest quality of care possible in a long-term care facility.

How to Report Elderly Abuse in a Nursing Home

You can report elder abuse or neglect in a couple of different ways depending on the situation. Don’t hesitate to call 911 in the event of a serious medical emergency, as doing so may help save a resident’s life.

You can report elderly abuse in nursing homes to:

• Adult Protective Services (APS): The APS offices in your state can investigate to see if elder mistreatment has occurred.
• Law enforcement: Police can help you file criminal charges in cases of serious elder abuse or neglect.
• Long-Term Care Ombudsmen: Ombudsmen serve as advocates for nursing home residents and work to help resolve complaints. They could be your first line of defense if you are worried about the level of care but aren’t sure if abuse is occurring.

Help for Elderly Abuse in Nursing Homes

Nursing homes are supposed to provide a space where older people can live in comfort and dignity — yet every year, residents across the country are senselessly abused and neglected.

If you or a loved one has suffered from elder abuse in a nursing home, you deserve the care and support needed to move forward. At the Victim Advocacy Center, we understand how devastating nursing home abuse is and work to support survivors and families.

Connect with us now to:

• Find essential resources to start healing after abuse or neglect
• Get support from our caring and dedicated team
• Learn if you may be eligible for nursing home abuse compensation

Get a free case review or call (877) 684-0487 now to find out how we may be able to assist you or someone you love.