How a lawyer can help Georgia families pursue justice
The call came at 2 a.m. Your mom, who has dementia, was rushed to the hospital with a broken hip. The nursing home said she "fell out of bed." But when you visited, you noticed bruises on her arms, a look of terror in her eyes when a certain aide walked in, and a story that didn’t add up. You know something’s wrong. But how do you prove it?
Memory care units are supposed to be safe havens for our most vulnerable loved ones. Instead, far too many become places where abuse and neglect thrive in the shadows. Residents with Alzheimer’s or dementia can’t always tell us what’s happening. Some can’t speak at all. Others might try, but their words are dismissed as "confusion" or "paranoia." Meanwhile, the people responsible for their care (sometimes the very people hurting them) control the narrative.
If you suspect abuse, you’re not powerless. But you do need to act fast, ask the right questions, and gather the right evidence. Here’s how to fight back.
What counts as abuse in a memory care unit?
Abuse isn’t always a slap or a shove. It can be subtle, systemic, and easy to hide behind the chaos of dementia. Here’s what to watch for:
- Physical abuse: Hitting, pushing, rough handling, or using restraints inappropriately (like tying someone to a chair for "safety").
- Emotional abuse: Yelling, threatening, humiliating, or isolating a resident. Ever seen a caregiver mock a resident for forgetting something? That’s abuse.
- Neglect: Leaving someone in soiled diapers for hours, skipping meals, ignoring medical needs, or failing to help them move (leading to bed sores or infections).
- Financial exploitation: Stealing cash, forging checks, or coercing a resident into "gifting" money. One family found their dad’s life savings drained by a "helpful" aide who’d befriended him.
- Sexual abuse: Any unwanted touching, assault, or forcing a resident to undress in front of others. It happens more than we want to admit.
- Chemical restraints: Overmedicating residents to keep them "manageable." If your loved one is suddenly zoned out all the time, ask why.
- Verbal abuse: Calling a resident "stupid," "crazy," or "a burden." Dementia doesn’t erase dignity.
Why is it so hard to prove?
Memory care residents can’t always explain what happened. They might not remember the abuse an hour later. Moreover, facilities know how to cover their tracks, alter records, coach staff, or outright lie to families.
Then there’s the systemic neglect that makes abuse possible, including:
- Understaffing: One aide responsible for 15 residents during a night shift? Corners will be cut.
- Poor training: Not all caregivers know how to handle dementia behaviors without losing their temper.
- Lack of oversight: State inspections are rare, and when they occur, facilities receive warnings.
- Arbitration clauses: Many admission contracts force families to settle disputes out of court, where the facility calls the shots.
What are the warning signs of abuse?
Your loved one might not be able to tell you what’s happening, but their body and behavior will.
Physical red flags include:
- Unexplained bruises, cuts, or fractures (especially in patterns like finger marks or on both sides of the body).
- Bed sores, rashes, or infections from poor hygiene.
- Sudden weight loss or dehydration.
- Overmedication (slurred speech, excessive sleepiness, confusion worse than usual).
Behavioral changes:
- Flinching when touched or approached by certain staff.
- Refusing to eat, bathe, or take meds after previously cooperating.
- Rocking, mumbling, or other signs of trauma.
- Withdrawing from activities they used to enjoy.
Environmental clues:
- Soiled bedding or clothes.
- Missing personal items (jewelry, cash, credit cards).
- Staff who won’t let you be alone with your loved one.
- A facility that’s always "too busy" for you to drop by unannounced.
How do I gather evidence of nursing home abuse?
If you suspect abuse, document everything. Here’s your game plan:
- Take photos. Date-stamped images of injuries, dirty conditions, or hazardous areas (like broken handrails).
- Keep a journal. Note every concern, conversation, and incident. Example: "10/15 – Mom had bruises on her left arm. The nurse said she ‘bumped into a door.’ No incident report filed."
- Visit unpredictably. Drop by at night, on weekends, or during shift changes. Abusers count on families only showing up during "visiting hours."
- Talk to other residents and families. Patterns emerge when multiple people report issues.
- Request records. You have a legal right to your loved one’s medical charts, medication logs, and incident reports. If the facility drags its feet, that’s a red flag.
- Install a camera (if legal in your state). Hidden cameras have exposed horrific abuse, like the case where aides were caught slapping and taunting a resident with dementia.
- Get a second opinion. A geriatric doctor can determine if injuries or health declines are from abuse, not dementia.
What legal steps can I take if my loved one suffered abuse in a Georgia nursing home?
Proving abuse is about connecting the dots between what you observe and what the facility tries to hide. Here’s how to build a case:
- Medical records: A sudden spike in injuries or infections? A doctor’s assessment can link them to neglect.
- Staffing records: Understaffed shifts or high turnover? That’s evidence of systemic neglect.
- State inspection reports: Check your state’s health department website for violations. If the facility has a history of abuse complaints, that strengthens your claim.
- Witnesses: Other residents, families, or even former employees may corroborate your suspicions.
- Expert testimony: A geriatric specialist can explain how your loved one’s injuries aren’t consistent with dementia, but are consistent with abuse.
Abusers love to blame dementia. Your counter should be based on medical evidence and patterns. If your loved one never had bruises before moving in, but now does? That’s not dementia; that’s a sign someone’s hurting her. That's why it's important to act fast. The longer you wait, the harder it is to prove what happened. Here's what to do:
- Call 911 if your loved one is in immediate danger.
- File a complaint with the Georgia long-term care ombudsman. They investigate abuse claims.
- Report to Adult Protective Services (APS). They can launch an investigation and remove your loved one from harm.
- Contact a lawyer who handles nursing home abuse. At Johnson Greer Law Group, our Georgia nursing home abuse lawyers are here to help.
Your loved one deserves justice. Let our attorneys fight for it
If your parent, grandparent, or family member suffered abuse or neglect in a Georgia nursing home, you don’t have to face this terrible situation alone. Johnson Greer Law Group fights to hold negligent facilities accountable. We know how nursing homes operate and how they try to hide their wrongdoing. Our team will investigate thoroughly, demand answers, and pursue maximum compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and more.
With a free consultation and no upfront fees, there’s zero risk to you. We only get paid if we win your case. That’s our promise.
Don’t wait for the nursing home to take responsibility, because they won’t. Contact us online, call, or visit our Decatur law office to book a free consultation. We serve families across Georgia, and we’re ready to act fast before evidence disappears or legal deadlines pass.
"George is very thorough- explained what would happen and kept in touch. He's honest, caring. I trust George with anything. We felt great, because George made the legal system work for us, the person who tried to cheat us had to pay for it." - K.Y., ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐