What To Do and Who To Call for Lubbock Nursing Home Abuse

There are several types of nursing home abuse; these signs can clue you in if your loved one is a victim

It’s estimated that one in 10 elderly individuals will experience some form of elder abuse. And while we tend to think bad things happen to other people in other places (that is, not in our own backyards), Lubbock is not immune from these issues. 

There were nearly 300 reported cases of elderly financial abuse in Lubbock in 2023, according to a representative of Adult Protective Services in Texas. In addition, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) investigated the Crown Point Health Suites in 2024 after a patient died in its care. The Littlefield Nursing Home, near Lubbock, was investigated in 2022 after a staff walkout over staffing shortages. 

While a staffing shortage, on its face, seems like a management issue, being short-staffed has a direct correlation with nursing home abuse and neglect because there are simply not enough people to care for a high-needs population of patients.

What agencies investigate nursing home abuse in Lubbock?

There are several ways to report suspected nursing home abuse in Lubbock.

• Texas Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) investigates abuse, neglect and exploitation in nursing homes and other care facilities.
  
  Contact: 1-800-458-9858 (24-hour abuse hotline), https://www.hhs.texas.gov/services/your-rights/complaint-incident-intake
• Adult Protective Services (APS) investigates abuse, neglect, and exploitation of elderly or disabled individuals in non-regulated settings (e.g., at home).
  
  Contact: 1-800-252-5400, https://www.txabusehotline.org/Login/Default.aspx
• Lubbock Police Department handles criminal investigations related to physical abuse, financial exploitation, or neglect of nursing home residents.
  
  Contact: Non-emergency number 806-775-2865 or 911 for an emergency
• Office of the Long-term Care Ombudsman advocates for nursing home and assisted living residents, resolving complaints and ensuring their rights are protected.
  
  Contact: 1-800-252-2412, https://apps.hhs.texas.gov/news_info/ombudsman/ 
• Texas Attorney General investigates and prosecutes criminal cases involving elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
  
  Contact: 1-800-621-0508, https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/

Types of nursing home abuse

Nursing home abuse can be physical, psychological, sexual, financial, neglect, abandonment, or in the form of healthcare fraud or abuse.

Nursing home physical abuse in Lubbock

Physical abuse in a nursing home setting could include any intentional infliction of physical harm or injury. This includes unnecessary restraints, over- or under-medicating, hitting, slapping, pushing, or other forms of physical aggression.

Signs: Unexplained bruises, cuts, burns or fractures; fearfulness or flinching when approached; or reports of physical pain without a clear cause.

Nursing home emotional or psychological abuse

Any action that causes mental or emotional harm can be emotional or psychological abuse. This includes insults, threats, intimidation, isolation from family or friends, humiliation or mocking.

Signs: Withdrawal, depression, anxiety, mood or behavior changes, reluctance to speak in the presence of staff.

Sexual abuse in a nursing home

This is any non-consensual sexual contact or behavior, just like outside a nursing home setting. This could be inappropriate touching, forcing a resident to view sexually explicit material, sexual assault or harassment, or other things.

Signs: Bruising around genitals, unexplained sexually transmitted infections, fear or discomfort around certain individuals.

Financial abuse and exploitation in Lubbock nursing homes

There are two types of financial exploitation:

• Financial abuse, when the perpetrator is someone known to the victim; and 
• Financial fraud, when someone is swindled by a perpetrator who is a stranger.

Any misuse or theft of a resident’s financial resources is financial abuse. This could include stealing money or possessions, forging signatures to access accounts, or coercing a resident to change their will or other financial documents.

Signs: Sudden changes in financial status, missing possessions or funds, unexplained withdrawals or transfers.

Neglect

Neglect is a failure to provide necessary care in a way that results in harm. For example, ignoring medical needs, failure to provide food or water, failure to ensure hygiene, and allowing unsafe living conditions.

Signs: Malnutrition, dehydration, bedsores or other untreated medical issues, and unsanitary living conditions.

Abandonment

Abandonment involves deserting a resident who requires care and supervision, such as leaving them alone for long periods of time or failing to pick them up from an appointment.

Signs: The resident is found alone or without proper care, or there are reports of being left unattended.

Healthcare fraud or abuse

Healthcare fraud is when improper health-related practices exploit or harm a resident. This can include billing for unnecessary services (or for services that were not provided), or administering improper or harmful treatments.

Signs: Medical billing discrepancies, overuse or misuse of medication.

What to do if you suspect nursing home abuse in Lubbock?

If you believe a loved one is experiencing nursing home abuse, take the following steps immediately:

1. Look for the signs listed above to have an idea of the type of abuse and how it’s manifesting in the resident or patient.
2. Document your observations. Take detailed notes that include dates, times, and descriptions of the signs of abuse. Also, take photographs of injuries, poor living conditions, or other evidence. Record conversations with the resident or staff, and record any relevant statements.
3. Make a report. First, contact the facility management. The first notice should be to the nursing home’s administrator or director of nursing. There might be protocols in place for investigating these types of concerns. However, if the management is part of the problem or unwilling to help, seek help from one of the local Lubbock agencies or a state hotline listed above.
4. Seek legal advice. Consult an elder law attorney or other personal injury lawyer if you need guidance for how to proceed and your legal rights in a nursing home abuse claim.
5. Monitor the situation. Follow up with the investigating agency to keep tabs on progress and ensure that it’s moving forward. Continue to visit the patient regularly and remain vigilant for further signs of mistreatment or retaliation.
6. Transition, if necessary and possible. If you’re uncomfortable with the situation where your loved one lives, explore other options. There might be an alternative Lubbock nursing home that better meets their needs (and yours). Medical professionals and caseworkers can help facilitate a safe transition.