It’s a shame, but it is usually the most vulnerable individuals in our society who are taken advantage of and abused by those who are tasked 
with taking care of them. When you entrust a loved one to a nursing care facility, you hope that they will be taken care of and that their needs will be fulfilled reliably. However, this is unfortunately not always the case. Many older adults are abused and suffer physical or emotional trauma while in the care of others. If you think your loved one may be abused, here are some ways to spot nursing home abuse.
Changes in Behavior
Elderly adults are less likely to stand up to physical abuse usually because either they can’t, due to some physical or mental condition, or because they are afraid of further injury or punishment from their caregiver. However, family members may be able to identify abused seniors if they exhibit a major change in behavior that is not linked to any medical condition. If there is a significant shift in personality, such as a once-happy person is now withdrawn and sullen, especially around their caregiver, this could be a sign of something more sinister happening.
Tension with the Caregiver
Similarly, if your loved one seems to have tension with their caregiver, this may also signal that something is happening when you aren’t around. If you notice that the caregiver is acting careless or rough with your loved one, it may be time to ask the more difficult questions.
Physical Ways to Spot Nursing Home Abuse
If your loved one has any unexplained cuts, bruises, welts, broken bones, or signs of restraint, these could all be physical signs of abuse. Ask your loved one about how they obtained the injuries if they can respond. Make sure you talk to them in private and don’t tell the caregiver that you will be asking the questions. You don’t want the caregiver to threaten your loved one into telling you a lie.
Sexual Abuse
The sad fact is that the elderly can also be victims of sexual abuse, especially if they have a mental disability. If you notice any unexplained bruising around the genitals, STDs or genital infections, or bloody or torn underwear, this should be reported to management and the authorities immediately.
Emotional Abuse
Often emotional and physical abuse go hand-in-hand, but they can also be progressive. What starts as emotional abuse may end in physical violence, so it’s important that you pay attention to these signs as well. Notice the caregiver’s behavior around your loved one, and make sure that they are not using belittling terms or that they ever threaten your loved one. If your loved one mentions any comments that could be considered emotionally abusive, it is best to address the behavior right away before it escalates into something worse.
Other Signs of Potential Abuse
If an elderly patient is left alone for long periods of time or is housed in an unsafe or unsanitary environment, these may be signs that there could be further abuse occurring. Additionally, if it appears that they have not been bathed or bedding is not changed regularly, your loved one may be living in undesirable conditions. If you loved one has developed bedsores, especially if they are not bedridden, it might be time to start asking questions. Finally, any extreme loss of weight that is not directly tied to a medical condition could be a sign that your loved one is not being taken care of properly.
When it comes to caring for our most vulnerable citizens, we should expect the best from those entrusted to be caregivers. If you ever find yourself in an unfortunate situation with a loved one who has suffered abuse in a nursing home, you may be able to pursue legal action. Contact us for a complimentary consultation. 305-662-6178
References:
Signs of Nursing Home Abuse – Know What Warning Signs To Look For. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://nursinghomeabusecenter.com/nursing-home-abuse/signs/
Red Flags: 6 Signs of Nursing Home Neglect. (2016, March 02). Retrieved from https://nextavenue.org/6-signs-of-nursing-home-neglect/
