Types of Healthcare Facilities Prone to Abuse & Neglect

Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities

Nursing homes and assisted living facilities provide care, but neglect and abuse happen far too often. Surveys show that 44% of residents report suffering abuse, and 48% have witnessed or endured rough treatment. Many residents rely entirely on staff for their daily needs, leaving them at risk when staff fall short of meeting their essential needs.

Here are some common issues families should watch for:

• Bedsores. Also called pressure ulcers, these develop when residents aren’t moved often enough. Left untreated, they can lead to serious infections.
• Malnutrition and dehydration. Poor food and water intake monitoring can cause rapid weight loss, weakness, and severe health complications.
• Medication errors. Giving the wrong drug, incorrect doses, or skipping medications can have life-threatening effects.
• Physical abuse. Unexplained bruises, fractures, or sudden fearfulness may signal mistreatment by staff or other residents.
• Financial exploitation. Stolen money, forged checks, and coerced financial decisions are common in long-term care settings.

If a loved one has suffered at the hands of their caregivers, assisted living lawsuits can help hold facilities accountable. A nursing home abuse lawyer can guide families through the legal process and fight for justice.

Hospitals

Hospitals are places of healing, but negligence and improper care can put patients at risk. Medical staff are expected to provide proper treatment, but when they fail to do so, the consequences can be life-threatening.

• Negligence. Misdiagnosis, delayed treatment, or not monitoring a patient’s condition can lead to severe complications or even death.
• Patient abandonment. Hospitals must ensure continuous care. Discharging patients too soon or refusing treatment can leave them in a dangerous situation.
• Improper treatment. Surgical errors, incorrect medications, and not adhering to medical protocols can cause lasting harm.
• Inadequate infection prevention. Poor sanitation and lack of infection control can expose patients to life-threatening illnesses.

When hospitals cannot meet basic care standards, patients and their families may consider filing a hospital abuse lawsuit to hold them accountable.

Rehabilitation Centers

Rehabilitation centers should provide structured care to help patients regain mobility, function, and independence. When facilities don’t meet basic standards, patients can experience unnecessary pain, setbacks, or permanent damage.

• Ineffective therapy. Some facilities offer fewer therapy sessions than prescribed, use outdated techniques, or rely on underqualified staff. Without proper rehabilitation, patients may struggle with long-term mobility issues or lose progress made in earlier treatment.
• Unsanitary conditions. Dirty therapy equipment, unwashed linens, and poor infection control increase the risk of acute and chronic illnesses, especially for post-surgical patients or those with weakened immune systems.
• Staff neglect. Overworked or poorly trained staff may be unable to assist patients with walking, transfers, or personal hygiene, leading to falls, infections, or bedsores. Delayed responses to distress can also result in preventable medical emergencies.

If a loved one has suffered due to poor care in a rehab facility, patient neglect legal help may be necessary to hold the facility accountable.

Psychiatric Hospitals and Mental Health Facilities

Psychiatric hospitals and mental health facilities are responsible for stabilizing and treating individuals in crisis, but poor care can lead to lasting harm.

• Overmedication. Excessive use of pharmaceuticals is a widespread issue, with some facilities using sedatives to control patients rather than addressing their underlying conditions. This can cause severe side effects, cognitive impairment, or worsened mental health.
• Restraint abuse. This occurs when staff misuse physical or chemical restraints, leading to injuries, trauma, or even suffocation. While restraints should be a last resort, some facilities use them as a routine form of control.
• Inability to prevent self-harm. Patients at risk for suicide or self-injury require constant monitoring, but understaffing leaves many without proper supervision. Poorly managed facilities may ignore warning signs, leading to tragic outcomes.

When psychiatric facilities cannot fulfill their responsibility to provide proper care, families may need legal action to protect their loved ones.

Group Homes and Residential Care Facilities

Residential care facilities and group homes are meant to provide a safe, supportive place for people with disabilities, mental health conditions, or aging-related needs. However, when a facility is poorly run, it can become a dangerous environment instead of a helpful one.

• Lack of supervision. Poorly supervised facilities put residents at risk for falls, medical emergencies, or conflicts with others in the home. Some facilities are severely understaffed, leaving vulnerable individuals without needed care.
• Staff mistreatment. Mistreatment ranges from verbal abuse and intimidation to physical harm. In some cases, caregivers take advantage of residents emotionally or financially, knowing they have limited ways to report mistreatment.
• Unsafe environments. Broken locks, poor sanitation, and fire hazards can expose residents to injury or exploitation.

Families should stay vigilant and take action if a facility does not provide a safe, respectful living space.

Home Health Care Services

Approximately 3 million Americans relied on home healthcare services in 2020, allowing them to receive medical assistance, personal care, and daily support while staying in their own homes. While this option provides comfort and independence, it also comes with risks, including:

• Caregiver abuse. This can take many forms, including physical harm, verbal threats, or emotional manipulation. Some caregivers exploit their patients’ dependence, intimidating or isolating them to maintain control. For example, a homebound senior with limited mobility may be left alone for hours without food or assistance.
• Poor hygiene and nutrition. When caregivers don’t bathe patients, change soiled clothing, or provide balanced meals, malnutrition and infections can develop. An elderly patient with a weakened immune system who is not regularly cleaned or repositioned could develop bedsores, leading to painful infections that require hospitalization.
• Financial fraud. Some caregivers steal cash, forge checks, or pressure patients into changing wills or bank accounts. Families should stay alert for sudden, unexplained financial transactions or missing valuables.

Families should stay alert for signs of abuse or exploitation and seek guidance from a home care negligence attorney if their loved one’s safety or well-being is at risk.

Long-Term Care Facilities

Long-term care facilities encompass a variety of settings beyond nursing homes and assisted living communities, including home health agencies, hospice care, and adult day care centers. According to the CDC, approximately 8.3 million people in the United States received services from these regulated long-term care providers as of 2016.

These facilities cater to individuals with chronic illnesses, disabilities, or advanced age, providing essential support for daily living and medical needs. However, several challenges can compromise the quality of care, such as:

• Medical errors. Staff might administer the wrong medication, skip doses, or fail to monitor reactions. Mismanaged treatments can worsen existing conditions or cause life-threatening complications.
• Emotional abuse. While harder to detect, emotional abuse is just as harmful. Some staff ignore residents’ needs, mock or belittle them, or restrict social interactions, leading to depression and withdrawal.
• Understaffing. Inadequate or poorly trained staff forces caregivers to rush through essential tasks, leaving residents without timely assistance for eating, bathing, or using the restroom. These conditions increase the risk of malnutrition, infections, and injuries from falls.

Families should visit frequently, ask questions, and document concerns to ensure their loved ones receive proper care.

Developmental Disability Care Centers

​Developmental disability care centers are intended to provide safe and supportive environments for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). However, these facilities can sometimes become settings for various forms of mistreatment.​

• Physical abuse. Individuals with developmental disabilities are four times more likely to be abused than those without disabilities. A nonverbal resident who cannot report mistreatment may suffer bruises, fractures, or even signs of restraint without any explanation from staff.
• Not addressing medical needs. Caregivers may not provide necessary medical attention, leading to untreated health issues and worsening conditions. For example, a resident with epilepsy who doesn’t receive their prescribed medication on time could experience preventable seizures, putting them in immediate danger.
• Isolation. Some residents experience social isolation due to understaffing or intentional actions by caregivers. A young adult with autism, for example, may be left alone in their room for long periods without stimulation or interaction, causing emotional distress and behavioral regression.

Advocates and loved ones must stay alert to protect individuals in these care settings and ensure they receive proper treatment and support.

Children’s Foster Homes and Juvenile Facilities

Children placed in foster homes and juvenile facilities rely on these environments for safety, stability, and care. Unfortunately, some face mistreatment, neglect, or dangerous conditions that put them at further risk.

• Mistreatment. In these settings, mistreatment can include physical abuse, verbal intimidation, or emotional disregard by caregivers or staff. Children with no strong advocate are especially vulnerable, as their complaints may be ignored or dismissed.
• Unsafe conditions. Poorly monitored homes, overcrowded facilities, and a lack of supervision can lead to violence between children, exposure to drugs, or other harmful situations.
• Refusal to report abuse. Some caregivers and facility staff ignore or cover up abuse rather than intervene. Without proper oversight, children may continue suffering in silence.

Stronger accountability and monitoring are essential to protect those in foster care and juvenile facilities.

Protect and Support Your Loved Ones

No one should ever endure abuse or neglect in a healthcare facility, yet these incidents occur far too often. Whether it’s nursing home malpractice, inadequate hospital care, or a wrongful death in a long-term care facility, victims and their families deserve justice. Holding negligent institutions accountable not only helps secure compensation but also prevents future harm.

No family should have to watch a loved one suffer due to negligence. If you suspect mistreatment, Gharibian Law can help your loved one pursue compensation for the harm they have endured.

Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation.