How to Tell If a Loved One Is Being Mistreated
When you move a parent or spouse into a nursing home, you trust the staff to keep them safe. Most caregivers do. But abuse and neglect happen more than families realize, and the people most at risk often cannot speak up for themselves.
The warning signs tend to fall into a few groups: physical and medical changes, emotional and behavioral shifts, financial red flags, and signs of neglect. You do not need to be certain something is wrong to act. If your gut tells you something is off, that is reason enough to look closer. This guide walks through what to watch for and what to do next.
Physical and Medical Warning Signs
Physical signs are often the first thing families notice. Some are obvious. Others are easy to dismiss as “just getting older.”
Watch for:
- Bedsores, also called pressure ulcers, especially on the back, hips, or heels.
- Unexplained bruises, cuts, burns, or fractures.
- Repeated falls or injuries the staff cannot clearly explain.
- Sudden weight loss, dehydration, or signs of poor nutrition.
- Overmedication, or a loved one who seems unusually sedated or confused.
Mistreatment happens more often than it should, and much of it goes unreported. Bedsores and dehydration in particular are often signs of neglect, because they usually develop when basic care is missing. If your loved one’s health declines without a clear medical reason, that is worth questioning. Our New Orleans medical malpractice team sees how often these injuries trace back to inadequate care.
Emotional, Behavioral, and Financial Signs
Not all harm leaves a mark you can see. Emotional abuse and financial exploitation can be just as serious.
Behavioral and emotional signs include:
- Withdrawal, depression, or a sudden loss of interest in things they enjoyed.
- Fear, anxiety, or visible tension around certain staff members.
- Agitation, rocking, or other changes that appear after a new caregiver arrives.
- Reluctance to speak openly when staff are in the room.
Financial red flags matter too. Watch for sudden changes to bank accounts, missing money or belongings, new names added to financial documents, or unpaid bills despite available funds. Exploitation of an older person’s finances is a recognized form of abuse, and it often happens alongside other mistreatment.
Neglect Is Abuse Too
Neglect does not require anyone to intend harm. It happens when a facility fails to provide the care a resident needs, and it can be just as dangerous.
Signs of neglect include poor hygiene, soiled clothing or bedding, an unclean room, untreated medical conditions, and a facility that seems understaffed or chaotic. A resident left alone for long stretches, or one whose call button goes unanswered, is at real risk. Under Louisiana standards, failing to meet a resident’s basic needs for safety, nutrition, hygiene, and medical care can qualify as neglect. If you want to understand how these situations become legal claims, our guide on suing a nursing home in Louisiana explains how the process works.
What to Do Right Now If You Suspect Abuse
If you think your loved one is being harmed, act. Here is a practical order of steps.
First, make sure they are safe. If someone is in immediate danger, call 911.
Second, document what you see. Take dated photos of injuries or conditions, write down what you observe, and keep copies of records. This is the evidence that protects your loved one later.
Third, report it. In Louisiana, you can contact the Louisiana Department of Health’s nursing home complaint hotline at 1-888-810-1819, and Louisiana’s Elderly Protective Services at 1-833-577-6532 for residents age 60 and older. You can confirm current contact details and file a complaint through the Louisiana Department of Health. Reporting is your right, and the facility cannot lawfully punish your loved one for it.
Fourth, get advice. If your loved one was harmed, a lawyer can tell you whether you have a claim and help preserve evidence before it disappears. Our personal injury team handles these matters across the Greater New Orleans area, including Gretna and Kenner. When a death or serious injury is involved, the next step is often a legal claim.
How We Help Louisiana Families
These situations are painful, and families often feel guilty for not catching it sooner. You should not. Abuse is the fault of the people who commit it, not the family who trusted them.
At Arnona Rose, we help families understand what happened and what their options are. We are a small firm, so you work directly with your attorney, and we treat your family the way we would want ours treated. If you are worried about someone you love, contact us for a free, no-pressure conversation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How common is nursing home abuse?
It is more common than most families expect, and widely underreported. The National Center on Elder Abuse reports that at least one in ten older adults living in the community experiences some form of abuse, and experts believe only a fraction of cases are ever reported. Rates can be higher in institutional settings, where residents may be frail, isolated, or unable to advocate for themselves. The takeaway is not to panic, but to stay attentive. Regular visits, asking questions, and trusting your instincts are some of the best protections a family has.
How can I check a nursing home’s track record?
You can research a facility’s history before or after a concern. The federal Medicare Care Compare tool publishes inspection results, staffing data, and quality ratings for nursing homes. Louisiana’s health department also keeps licensing and inspection records for facilities in the state. A pattern of staffing shortages or repeated violations is a meaningful warning sign, and it can also support a claim later. If you are choosing a facility, this research helps you compare options. If you already suspect a problem, a poor inspection record adds important context to what you are seeing.
Can the nursing home retaliate against my loved one for a complaint?
No. Residents have the right to voice complaints without fear of punishment, and a facility cannot lawfully retaliate against a resident for reporting abuse or neglect. Retaliation could look like worse care, isolation, or even a threat of discharge. If you see any sign of that after raising concerns, document it immediately and report it as well, because retaliation is itself a serious violation. Your loved one’s right to safe care and to speak up are protected at the same time, and an attorney can help you enforce both.
Should I move my loved one to a different facility first?
It depends on the level of danger. If your loved one is in immediate harm, getting them to safety comes first, and you can call 911 or arrange an urgent transfer. If the situation is serious but not an emergency, it is often worth documenting conditions and reporting before a move, so there is a clear record of what happened. Moving too fast can sometimes scatter the evidence. Every situation is different, so if you are unsure, a quick call to a lawyer can help you weigh safety against preserving proof.
What if my loved one insists everything is fine but I’m still worried?
Trust what you observe. Residents often downplay mistreatment, sometimes out of fear of retaliation, sometimes out of embarrassment, and sometimes because dementia makes it hard to report. A loved one saying “everything’s fine” does not mean it is, especially when what you see tells a different story. Keep visiting, and vary the days and times so the routine is not arranged for you. Note what you notice each visit. If the physical signs, the mood, or the conditions worry you, act on that, even without a clear statement from your loved one.
About the Author
Toni R. Arnona, Esq. is a partner at Arnona Rose, LLC, a personal injury firm in the Greater New Orleans area. A New Orleans native, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in French and Linguistics from Newcomb College at Tulane University and her Juris Doctor from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law in 2009. She was admitted to the Louisiana Bar that same year, after interning with Judge Robin M. Giarrusso and later clerking for Judge Lloyd J. Medley, Jr. in the Civil District Court for the Parish of Orleans. Toni joined Arnona Rose in 2014, where she focuses her practice on personal injury and related matters. She is a member of the American Bar Association, the Louisiana Bar Association, the Jefferson Parish Bar Association, and the Federal Bar Association.