--- title: "Nursing Home Abuse Center - Defending Against Elder Abuse" url: "https://www.nursinghomeabusecenter.com/" description: "Upwards of 10 million seniors experience nursing home abuse and neglect in \"safe\" places like nursing homes and by people they trust." --- # Protecting Seniors from Abuse and Neglect #### Over 10 million seniors experience elder abuse each year — this has to stop. The Nursing Home Abuse Center (NHAC) was founded on time-honored principles of restoring dignity for some of our most vulnerable and valuable citizens. Before we can begin to resolve the issue of nursing home abuse, we must understand what it is. [Learn More About Nursing Home Abuse](https://www.nursinghomeabusecenter.com/nursing-home-abuse/ "Learn More About Nursing Home Abuse") ## Nursing Home Abuse Should Have Consequences - If you or your loved one was abused or neglected by a nursing home, senior living facility, or assisted living facility, you should contact a trusted legal representative. - There are too many silent stories of abuse and neglect. Tell us yours, and together we can help stop the cycle of abuse. - You and your loved ones may be entitled to financial compensation. Complete our free case evaluation form to find out more. **Get a Free Case Review** Secure Submission ## Recognizing Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect ### [Signs of Abuse in Nursing Homes](https://www.nursinghomeabusecenter.com/nursing-home-abuse/signs/ "Learn How to Identify Abuse") [Nursing home abuse happens all too often against seniors under the protection of a licensed care facility. Professional support staff may act may violently or abusively toward their residents.](https://www.nursinghomeabusecenter.com/nursing-home-abuse/signs/ "Learn How to Identify Abuse") [Physical and sexual abuse may not only result in physical injuries but emotional and psychological symptoms as well. Signs of abuse to watch out for include unexplained bruising, injuries, broken bones, signs of restraints, broken eyeglasses, or obvious fear of certain staff members who may be perpetrating the abuse.](https://www.nursinghomeabusecenter.com/nursing-home-abuse/signs/ "Learn How to Identify Abuse") [Learn How to Identify Abuse](https://www.nursinghomeabusecenter.com/nursing-home-abuse/signs/ "Learn How to Identify Abuse") ### [Signs of Neglect in Nursing Homes](https://www.nursinghomeabusecenter.com/nursing-home-neglect/ "Notice the Signs of Neglect") [Nursing home neglect is another pervasive issue in facilities across America that can have deadly consequences. Nursing home neglect often involves care staff willfully ignoring their residents and failing to fulfill their job duties.](https://www.nursinghomeabusecenter.com/nursing-home-neglect/ "Notice the Signs of Neglect") [Signs of neglect to watch out for include dehydration, bedsores, malnutrition, and inconsistent or incorrect medication administration. You may also notice your loved exhibiting unusual behaviors, a sign of continued social isolation.](https://www.nursinghomeabusecenter.com/nursing-home-neglect/ "Notice the Signs of Neglect") [Notice the Signs of Neglect](https://www.nursinghomeabusecenter.com/nursing-home-neglect/ "Notice the Signs of Neglect") ### [Other Types of Abuse in Nursing Homes](https://www.nursinghomeabusecenter.com/elder-abuse/types/ "Types of Abuse in Nursing Homes") [Not all types of abuse or neglect are physical. Many nursing home residents face emotional or financial abuse at the hands of staff members or even other residents. Emotional abuse includes verbal threats, public humiliation or social isolation. Financial abuse includes theft or fraud. It’s the duty of nursing care staff to provide a safe environment free of abuse, even when the perpetrators are other residents.](https://www.nursinghomeabusecenter.com/elder-abuse/types/ "Types of Abuse in Nursing Homes") [Types of Abuse in Nursing Homes](https://www.nursinghomeabusecenter.com/elder-abuse/types/ "Types of Abuse in Nursing Homes") ## [Nursing Home Abuse](https://www.nursinghomeabusecenter.com/nursing-home-abuse/ "Learn more about Nursing Home Abuse") [Nursing home abuse takes many forms. From obvious physical assaults to subtle emotional attacks, residents may undergo multiple types of abuse. Many residents are left unable to defend themselves and are fearful of speaking up after assaults.](https://www.nursinghomeabusecenter.com/nursing-home-abuse/ "Learn more about Nursing Home Abuse") [Learn More](https://www.nursinghomeabusecenter.com/nursing-home-abuse/ "Learn more about Nursing Home Abuse") ## [Nursing Home Neglect](https://www.nursinghomeabusecenter.com/nursing-home-neglect/ "Learn more about Nursing Home Neglect") [Nursing home neglect is one of the most prevalent issues facing those who reside in nursing homes. Facilities are chronically underfunded leaving many left so constrained by limited resources that they hire inexperienced staff members.](https://www.nursinghomeabusecenter.com/nursing-home-neglect/ "Learn more about Nursing Home Neglect") [Learn More](https://www.nursinghomeabusecenter.com/nursing-home-neglect/ "Learn more about Nursing Home Neglect") ## [Elder Abuse](https://www.nursinghomeabusecenter.com/elder-abuse/ "Learn more about Elder Abuse") [Elder abuse is a social problem that can affect seniors anywhere. It generally involves someone else taking advantage of the victim financially, emotionally, or even physically. It’s important to understand the different types of elder abuse.](https://www.nursinghomeabusecenter.com/elder-abuse/ "Learn more about Elder Abuse") [Learn More](https://www.nursinghomeabusecenter.com/elder-abuse/ "Learn more about Elder Abuse") ## Types of Elder Abuse ### [Physical Abuse](https://www.nursinghomeabusecenter.com/elder-abuse/types/physical-abuse/ "Learn more about Physical Abuse") [Physical abuse of the elderly involves physical violence or force against an elder that results in physical impairment, pain, injury, or bodily harm to the individual.](https://www.nursinghomeabusecenter.com/elder-abuse/types/physical-abuse/ "Learn more about Physical Abuse") [Learn More](https://www.nursinghomeabusecenter.com/elder-abuse/types/physical-abuse/ "Learn more about Physical Abuse") ### [Sexual Assault and Abuse](https://www.nursinghomeabusecenter.com/elder-abuse/types/sexual-abuse/ "Learn more about Sexual Assault and Abuse") [Elder sexual abuse includes any sexual contact with an elder who, because of mental illness or dementia, cannot communicate their disapproval of the behavior against them and cannot communicate consent for the activity.](https://www.nursinghomeabusecenter.com/elder-abuse/types/sexual-abuse/ "Learn more about Sexual Assault and Abuse") [Learn More](https://www.nursinghomeabusecenter.com/elder-abuse/types/sexual-abuse/ "Learn more about Sexual Assault and Abuse") ### [Emotional Abuse](https://www.nursinghomeabusecenter.com/elder-abuse/types/emotional-abuse/ "Learn more about Emotional Abuse") [Emotional abuse includes verbal attacks, humiliation or social isolation of the elderly person. Perpetrators at nursing facilities can include volunteers, caregivers, family members, or other individuals employed at the nursing facility.](https://www.nursinghomeabusecenter.com/elder-abuse/types/emotional-abuse/ "Learn more about Emotional Abuse") [Learn More](https://www.nursinghomeabusecenter.com/elder-abuse/types/emotional-abuse/ "Learn more about Emotional Abuse") ### [Financial Abuse](https://www.nursinghomeabusecenter.com/elder-abuse/types/financial-abuse/ "Learn more about Financial Abuse") [Financial abuse of the elderly can include anything from physical theft to forging signatures on the victim’s checks. The main perpetrators can be relatives of the elderly person, their spouse, or someone else they trust.](https://www.nursinghomeabusecenter.com/elder-abuse/types/financial-abuse/ "Learn more about Financial Abuse") [Learn More](https://www.nursinghomeabusecenter.com/elder-abuse/types/financial-abuse/ "Learn more about Financial Abuse") ## How to Get a Free Legal Case Review 1. **Tell us what happened.**\ The more we know, the better we can help you with your case. 2. **Share how to reach you.**\ Provide contact information and your relationship to the injured. 3. **Let us help.**\ We can help you seek the justice your loved one deserves. [Start a Free Case Review](https://www.nursinghomeabusecenter.com/legal-case-review/ "Start a Free Case Review") ## What Are My Legal Options? ### [Nursing Home Lawsuits](https://www.nursinghomeabusecenter.com/legal/lawsuit/ "Learn More About Lawsuits") [Victims of abuse and their families can seek legal recourse against nursing homes due to their failure to provide an appropriate standard of care. If you or your loved one were a victim of nursing home abuse, you have many options when it comes to taking legal action.](https://www.nursinghomeabusecenter.com/legal/lawsuit/ "Learn More About Lawsuits") [You can hire private lawyers, access local bar associations or even qualify for government-funded legal aid. It’s important to seek professional legal advice so you understand your options for obtaining legal compensation from a nursing home. Lawyers can also advise on the statute of limitations that nursing home abuse cases are subject to.](https://www.nursinghomeabusecenter.com/legal/lawsuit/ "Learn More About Lawsuits") [Learn More About Lawsuits](https://www.nursinghomeabusecenter.com/legal/lawsuit/ "Learn More About Lawsuits") ### [Specialized Lawyers](https://www.nursinghomeabusecenter.com/legal/lawyer/ "Learn About Nursing Home Lawyers") [Ultimately, legal recourse helps victims and their families establish grounds for legal compensation and financial claims. Nursing home lawsuits can help recover lost assets, pay for medical costs associated with the abuse or neglect, and compensate victims for their emotional or other damages.](https://www.nursinghomeabusecenter.com/legal/lawyer/ "Learn About Nursing Home Lawyers") [You should also know that there are lawyers who specialize in Elder Law. When searching for the right law firm to represent you, be sure to select a law team with experience in nursing home lawsuits.](https://www.nursinghomeabusecenter.com/legal/lawyer/ "Learn About Nursing Home Lawyers") [Learn About Nursing Home Lawyers](https://www.nursinghomeabusecenter.com/legal/lawyer/ "Learn About Nursing Home Lawyers") ## [Nursing Abuse Lawsuits](https://www.nursinghomeabusecenter.com/legal/lawsuit/ "Learn more about Nursing Abuse Lawsuits") [Nursing homes have a legal duty of care owed to their residents. When nursing homes fail to meet their responsibilities, families can file nursing home lawsuits in civil court. Nursing home lawsuits must follow a set legal process that can sometimes take years to complete. That’s why it’s important to hire a professional legal defense team to help.](https://www.nursinghomeabusecenter.com/legal/lawsuit/ "Learn more about Nursing Abuse Lawsuits") [Learn More](https://www.nursinghomeabusecenter.com/legal/lawsuit/ "Learn more about Nursing Abuse Lawsuits") ## [Finding a Law Firm](https://www.nursinghomeabusecenter.com/legal/law-firm/ "Learn more about Finding a Law Firm") [When choosing a law firm to represent your nursing home lawsuit, it’s vital to choose an experienced, trustworthy team. Be sure to ask about the firm’s track record and its fee structure. Ask them to provide references so you can see past examples of successful cases. Above all, it’s important to trust your gut and choose a firm you will have confidence in.](https://www.nursinghomeabusecenter.com/legal/law-firm/ "Learn more about Finding a Law Firm") [Learn More](https://www.nursinghomeabusecenter.com/legal/law-firm/ "Learn more about Finding a Law Firm") ## [Choosing a Lawyer](https://www.nursinghomeabusecenter.com/legal/lawyer/ "Learn more about Choosing a Lawyer") [When choosing a lawyer to pursue legal recourse against a nursing home, it’s critical to find someone you can trust. There are many competent and ethical lawyers who have years of experience working with victims and families of nursing home abuse and neglect. Lawyers will help families from start to finish in initiating and resolving a nursing home lawsuit.](https://www.nursinghomeabusecenter.com/legal/lawyer/ "Learn more about Choosing a Lawyer") [Learn More](https://www.nursinghomeabusecenter.com/legal/lawyer/ "Learn more about Choosing a Lawyer") ## Our Mission and Experience The Nursing Home Abuse Center (NHAC) was founded on the principles of dignity and respect for some of the most vulnerable citizens — seniors. Seniors have built a society of law, order, and protection that we all enjoy today. They fought wars against tyranny, supported equality and built families and businesses that changed our world. It’s time for us to protect them from abuse perpetrated in what should be the safest of places. NHAC is a free online resource designed to inform and encourage improvements to the status quo. Let’s stand together and protect our seniors. [Learn More About Us](https://www.nursinghomeabusecenter.com/about/ "Learn More About Us") [See If You Have A Case](https://www.nursinghomeabusecenter.com/legal-case-review/ "See If You Have A Case") ## Signs​ and Consequences of​ ​Nursing​ ​Home​ ​Abuse Abuse in a nursing home or assisted living is an ugly reality that often goes unnoticed. With so many different types of elder abuse, it can be difficult to know exactly what to look for. Beyond obvious physical symptoms like broken bones, there are many other signs of nursing home abuse that family members need to be aware of. Family members may be able to spot signs of nursing home abuse and neglect over time. Signs can include the resident developing bedsores, emitting unhygienic odors and dwindling overall health levels. Sexual or emotional abuse may be detectable when the elderly person begins to withdraw, stops communicating and becomes fearful of being left alone with certain care staff or other people. Additional signs of abuse and general mistreatment can include the resident having broken eyeglasses, dirty or soiled clothing or being unsuitably dressed for the weather. In some cases, the facility itself may indicate a poor environment. Check for faulty electrical wiring, improperly functioning utilities or general lack of maintenance. It’s critical to be aware of the signs of elder abuse in a nursing home. Watching for signs can help stop abuse from worsening, and may even save your loved one’s life. Select A Sign of Abuse to Learn More [](https://www.nursinghomeabusecenter.com/nursing-home-injuries/bedsores/ "Bedsores") [](https://www.nursinghomeabusecenter.com/nursing-home-neglect/medication-errors/ "Medication Errors") [](https://www.nursinghomeabusecenter.com/nursing-home-neglect/wrongful-death/ "Wrongful Death") [](https://www.nursinghomeabusecenter.com/nursing-home-injuries/broken-bones/ "Broken Bones") [](https://www.nursinghomeabusecenter.com/nursing-home-injuries/infections/ "Infections") [](https://www.nursinghomeabusecenter.com/nursing-home-injuries/ "View All Injuries") ## Our Blog [Read More](https://www.nursinghomeabusecenter.com/blog/how-to-check-nursing-home-violations/ "Read more on How to Check Nursing Home Violations: Top 5 Tools to Use") ## [How to Check Nursing Home Violations: Top 5 Tools to Use](https://www.nursinghomeabusecenter.com/blog/how-to-check-nursing-home-violations/ "Read more on How to Check Nursing Home Violations: Top 5 Tools to Use") Posted on [October 14, 2026](https://www.nursinghomeabusecenter.com/blog/how-to-check-nursing-home-violations/) 5 Min Read [Read More](https://www.nursinghomeabusecenter.com/blog/how-to-check-nursing-home-violations/ "Click to read more") [Read More](https://www.nursinghomeabusecenter.com/blog/nursing-home-citations-2026-update/ "Read more on Abuse and Neglect Citations Are Still Piling Up in Nursing Homes") ## [Abuse and Neglect Citations Are Still Piling Up in Nursing Homes](https://www.nursinghomeabusecenter.com/blog/nursing-home-citations-2026-update/ "Read more on Abuse and Neglect Citations Are Still Piling Up in Nursing Homes") Posted on [October 13, 2026](https://www.nursinghomeabusecenter.com/blog/nursing-home-citations-2026-update/) 3 Min Read [Read More](https://www.nursinghomeabusecenter.com/blog/nursing-home-citations-2026-update/ "Click to read more")