Indianapolis Nursing Home Abuse Attorney

Over one million Americans, each and every day, are currently living in understaffed and underfunded nursing care facilities. These facilities lack the right number of nurses, nursing assistants, and trained individuals to provide the appropriate care for our cherished elders.

The experienced nursing home abuse attorneys at the Law Office of Deidra N. Haynes, LLC, are committed to and passionate about bringing peace of mind to the victims of nursing home abuse and their loved ones.

Your loved ones deserve adequate care, and you deserve to live in peace knowing they are being treated respectfully and properly. If you or someone you love has been a victim of nursing care facility neglect or abuse, call 317-982-7396 as soon as possible to discuss your case.

What is Considered ‘Neglect’ in a Nursing Home or Long-Term Care Facility?

As we age, our dependence on others increases. The simple wear and tear of the aging process make it difficult or impossible to provide ourselves with the basic care needed for daily functioning. On top of simply aging, medical or mental degradation or maladies can compound our need for regular assistance.

When a loved elder is admitted into a nursing facility, that facility agrees to uphold a committed duty of care. It is legally considered neglect if the nursing home fails to do so regularly.

Such neglect may include patients being maintained in uncomfortable living conditions that may be dangerous to their health, regular dismissal to provide patients with basic or increased needs, and mental or physical abuse, among other abusive behaviors.

We love and care for our elderly family members but often cannot provide them with the required assistance we long to give them. If the nursing facility to whom you have entrusted the care of your loved one breaches that contract, you require a practiced Indianapolis nursing home abuse lawyer. Give The Law Office of Deidra N. Haynes, LLC, a call at 317-982-7396 today to begin the process.

What Are the Causes of Nursing Home Neglect?

By the year 2050, it is expected that over 6 million residents will need care in nursing facilities as the Baby Boom generations reach the ages where they will need more consistent care. Under 20,000 nursing facilities are currently active, understaffed, and underfunded, with an ever-increasing number of nursing home residents.

While the term “abuse” can seem malicious, and while there are certainly horrifying nursing home abuse cases of intentional elder abuse both in and outside of qualified nursing facilities, it’s important to recognize that many instances of nursing home abuse and neglect stem from systemic issues rather than deliberate harm. The most common causes of nursing home abuse and neglect are often rooted in factors that affect the overall operation and staffing of the facility, rather than individual malicious intent. These systemic issues can create environments where neglect or mistreatment occurs unintentionally, but still with devastating effects on the elderly residents.

Overpopulated Facilities:
When nursing homes admit more residents than they can adequately care for, the quality of care inevitably suffers. Staff members are often stretched thin, unable to provide the necessary attention and care for each nursing home resident. This can lead to neglect in areas like hygiene, mobility assistance, and proper medication management, leaving residents vulnerable to health complications and emotional distress.

Stressful Working Conditions for Staff:
Caring for elderly residents, many of whom have complex medical or emotional needs, can be extremely taxing. When the working environment is highly stressful—due to long hours, emotional strain, or high resident-to-staff ratios—caregivers may become overwhelmed, leading to mistakes, neglect, or even abusive behavior as their coping mechanisms fail under pressure.

Staff Shortages:
One of the most significant contributors to nursing home abuse and neglect is chronic understaffing. When there aren’t enough caregivers on duty, it becomes impossible to meet the needs of every nursing home resident. As a result, basic care may be neglected, such as timely assistance with eating, bathing, or using the bathroom, which can lead to health complications and a decline in the resident’s well-being.

Inadequate Staff Training:
Caring for elderly residents requires specific skills and knowledge, particularly when dealing with conditions like dementia, Alzheimer’s, or physical disabilities. Inadequate training can leave staff ill-prepared to handle these challenges, resulting in poor care, neglect, or even harm. Without proper education and ongoing training, staff may not recognize the signs of distress or know how to safely manage difficult situations.

Staff Burnout from the Above:
When staff are overworked, poorly trained, or dealing with constant stress in overcrowded conditions, burnout is a natural consequence. Burned-out employees may become emotionally detached or physically exhausted, which can lead to neglect, apathy, or even intentional acts of mistreatment as a result of frustration. Unfortunately, this burnout can severely compromise the quality of care provided, putting residents at risk.

Addressing these root causes is essential for improving care in nursing homes and ensuring that vulnerable elderly residents are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.

These systemic issues cause a lack of the quality of care your loved one needs. In the state of Indiana, there are strict laws to regulate and protect nursing home residents’ rights. However, the state is also among the top in repeated, severe nursing home regulation violations.

What is the Proper Care of Duty in Elder Nursing Facilities?

Nursing homes’ obligations and requirements are to assess their residents’ health and individual needs, formulate a plan for proper care, and implement a program that will allow them to live as healthy a life as possible. Upon admittance, a patient can be expected to be assessed, have their needs determined, and be given a care plan to be enforced immediately. A nursing facility’s duty is to provide adequate staff to implement such strategies for each facility resident.

Additionally, a nursing facility’s contractual obligation is to ensure their residents have safe, reasonable care in exchange for the payment required to reside within the home. Failure to properly provide this care, or a breach of the patient’s safety, violates this contract.

How Can I Tell If My Loved One is Being Abused or Neglected?

Sometimes the signs are easily visible; often, they may not be so clear. If you are concerned your loved one may be subject to nursing home abuse or may not be receiving the nursing home’s care that you are paying for, check for any of the following signs;

• Environmental hazards or unsanitary conditions
• Improper isolation
• Unkempt hygiene or appearance
• Malnutrition
• Dehydration
• Confusion or disorientation without the presence of related medical conditions
• Sudden or inexplainable injuries
• Bed sores
• Unnecessary physical or chemical restraints or sedation
• Fear, hesitance, or agitated behavior
• Withdrawal
• Unusual patterns in behavior
• Staff comments that are unprofessional or derogatory
• Sudden or continued unwillingness to communicate

It can be difficult to tell if some of the above are expected issues related to aging or are worrisome and problematic signals of elder abuse and neglect. If you suspect that your loved one may be subjected to abuse or neglect by the nursing facility, reach out to a professional sooner rather than later.

What Can I Do in an Indiana Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect Case?

No two situations are the same. Sensitive nursing home abuse cases concerning the rights and health of our loved ones are those that we must treat the most dearly. A professional should be involved in the search for continued assurance of care for the elderly loved ones in your life.

If you suspect that anything less is the case or you suspect nursing home abuse, call The Law Office of Deidra N. Haynes immediately and speak to our staff of nursing home neglect attorneys. We will be happy to assist you and your family; call 317-982-7396.