Signs of Nursing Home Neglect, Abuse, and Exploitation
Written by Cooper and Friedman on April 28, 2026
Key Takeaways:
- Neglect, abuse, and exploitation all have different legal definitions and processes in Kentucky.
- Neglect is considered personal injury, since there may not have been malicious intent.
- Abuse may fall into the categorization of criminal law since physical abuse is assault.
Our aging loved ones are not always the safest or the happiest at home. When they can no longer do daily tasks or develop symptoms related to dementia that make them unpredictable or prone to dangerous actions, the support at a nursing home or assisted living facility may be your best choice. But, putting your loved one into the hands of strangers can be scary. Nursing home neglect, abuse, and exploitation does happen in Kentucky, and no one wants their loved ones to experience it.
Recognizing Nursing Home Neglect, Abuse, and Exploitation
Indicators of neglect, abuse, and exploitation may differ, as do the legal definitions. In Kentucky, the legal definitions are as follows:
Abuse
Under § 209.020, abuse means the infliction of physical pain, mental injury, or injury of an adult. According to KY Gov publication for the protection of nursing home residents, indications of elder abuse can be:
Physical
- Hitting
- Pinching
- Shoving
- Force-feeding
- Scratching
- Slapping
- Spitting
- Bruises from careless transfers
- Broken bones
- Rough handling during care giving, medicine administration, or moving a resident
Psychological, Emotional, or Verbal
- Berating
- Ignoring
- Intimidating
- Ridiculing
- Cursing the resident
- Threats of punishment or deprivation
- Isolation
- Demeaning or controlling behavior
Sexual
- Unexplained injury, redness or bruising to private parts or mouth
- Expressions of fear toward a particular person
- Medical finding of sexually transmitted disease
- Sudden unexplained onset of urinary tract infections
- Unexplained shame, fear or embarrassment
- Allegations of abuse made by the victim
Neglect
Under § 209.020, neglect means a situation in which an adult is unable to perform or obtain for himself the services which are necessary to maintain his health or welfare, or the deprivation of services by a caretaker which are necessary to maintain the health and welfare of an adult, or a situation in which a person deprives his spouse of reasonable services to maintain health and welfare. Indicators of neglect may entail:
- Substandard care which often results in one or more of the following conditions:
- immobilization
- loss of bowel or bladder control
- dehydration
- bed sores
- depression
- Failure to turn or reposition resident on a regular schedule, including use of physical restraints or overmedication, which leads to:
- limb contractures
- skin breakdown (bed sores)
- Lack of toileting or changing of disposable briefs, which causes:
- loss of bowel or bladder control, resulting in residents sitting in urine and feces
- increased falls and agitation
- indignity
- skin breakdown
- persistent odor of urine or feces
- Unmet personal or medical needs:
- inappropriate clothing
- poor hygiene
- incorrect use or administration of medicine
- Poor or absent oral hygiene, which leads to:
- tooth decay
- oral infections
- loose teeth
- Lack of assistance with eating and drinking or inadequate or improperly prepared food, which leads to:
- malnutrition
- dehydration
- weight loss
- Lack of assistance walking/moving, which leads to lack of mobility
- Poor hand washing techniques, which leads to infection
- Withdrawal or isolation which may be caused by the failure to provide assistance and/or encouragement in participating in activities of interest
- Ignoring call bells or cries for help
Exploitation
Under § 209.020, exploitation means the improper use of an adult or an adult’s resources by a caretaker or other person for the profit or advantage of the caretaker or other person. Indicators of exploitation could be:
- Excessive interest by a staff member in a particular resident
- Stealing or embezzling a resident’s money or personal property, such as jewelry or clothing or efforts to obtain resident’s money or personal property through trickery or lies
- Failure to provide services or goods for which resident has paid
- Suspicious checks made out to cash
- Unexplained or suspicious bank activity such as ATM use
- Not placing resident’s money in separate interest-bearing accounts where required
Frequently Asked Questions About Nursing Home Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation
- What should I do immediately if I suspect nursing home abuse or neglect?
- Prioritize your loved one’s safety. If that means filing a complaint with the nursing home and ensuring different caregivers, relocating them immediately, or other actions will be up to you and your situation. Try to document any evidence that you can, and meet with the nursing home’s management as soon as possible.
- What evidence do I need to prove nursing home neglect?
- Some key pieces of evidence in a nursing home neglect case are:
- Medical records
- Photos and videos of injuries or environments
- Witness testimonies from other residents, families, staff members, or visitors
- Incident reports made by the facility
- Some key pieces of evidence in a nursing home neglect case are:
- Can I sue a nursing home in Kentucky for neglect or abuse?
- Yes, you can sue nursing homes in Kentucky for neglect or abuse. At Cooper and Friedman, we specialize in personal injury resulting from neglect. Abuse may constitute as a criminal change.
If you or someone you love has experienced nursing home neglect, abuse, and exploitation in the State of Kentucky and are in need of an experienced injury attorney, give the lawyers at the Cooper & Friedman law firm a call. The attorneys at Cooper and Friedman PLLC have over 50 years of combined experience defending the rights of nursing home neglect, abuse, and exploitation victims. Contact us with questions you might have or schedule a free case consultation with an attorney by calling 502-459-7555 today.