If you have a loved one living in a nursing home, knowing some warning signs your loved one may be a victim of nursing home abuse is important.
Sending your elderly loved ones to a nursing home is one of the biggest decisions you’ll ever make. The reason could be you’re not able to provide them the care they need or going abroad for a job. You send your loved ones to a nursing home hoping that they’ll receive the proper care and attention they deserve. But unfortunately, not all residents do.
Nursing home abuse is a serious issue that can have devastating consequences for elderly residents. Unfortunately, it is not always easy to detect when abuse is occurring, as victims may be too afraid or unable to report it themselves.
As a loved one of an elderly resident, it is important to be aware of the signs of nursing home abuse so that you can take action if necessary and take care of your senior family members. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the signs of nursing home abuse. So, let’s get into it.
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1. Physical Signs Of Abuse
Physical signs of abuse may be the most obvious and include unexplained bruises, cuts, or burns. You may also notice that your loved one is experiencing frequent falls, broken bones, or other injuries that are not adequately explained.
Moreover, if you notice your loved one is suddenly losing weight, appears malnourished, or is dehydrated, this could be a sign that they are not receiving proper care.
If you notice such signs, you don’t have to sit with folded hands. Instead, you must seek professional help from a nursing home abuse law firm where a professional lawyer will fight for justice and accountability.
2. Emotional or behavioral changes
If your loved one seems withdrawn, depressed, or anxious, this could be a sign of emotional abuse. They may be reluctant to speak or appear to be afraid of staff members or other residents.
However, if they suddenly exhibit behaviors like rocking back and forth, sucking their thumb, or displaying other unusual behaviors, this could be a sign of psychological trauma.
3. Financial abuse
Unfortunately, financial abuse is also a common form of nursing home abuse. If you notice that your loved one’s finances are being mismanaged or that there are unexplained withdrawals from their accounts, this could be a sign of financial abuse.
Also, if your loved one’s personal belongings or money are missing, this could be a sign that someone is stealing from them.
4. Neglect
Have you noticed your loved ones being quiet or hesitating to communicate their problems? If yes, then this is a sign of getting abused or neglected by the nursing home’s staff. This also means that the staff is not providing them with the care they need the most.
Neglect is common in nursing homes and it is difficult to detect. If your loved one appears unkempt or has poor hygiene, this could also be a sign that they are not receiving adequate care. Additionally, if they are not receiving proper medication or medical attention for their conditions, this could be a sign of neglect.
If you notice something weird in the behavior of your elderly, make sure to have a private talk with them about the hesitancy around staff members. By doing this, you can easily control any abuse or neglect at an early stage.
5. Verbal abuse
Verbal abuse is a form of abuse that can be just as harmful as physical abuse. If your loved one is being subjected to insults, threats, or other forms of verbal abuse, this can be incredibly damaging to their emotional well-being.
If you notice your loved one seems more disturbed after interacting with staff members, this could be a sign of verbal abuse.
6. Sexual abuse
Sexual abuse is a form of nursing home abuse that is often overlooked or unreported. If your loved one has unexplained bruising around their genital area, or if they appear to be uncomfortable or in pain when sitting or walking, this could be a sign of sexual abuse.
If they suddenly display sexually inappropriate behaviors, this could be a sign that they are being victimized.
7. Unexplained Changes In Medication
If your loved one’s medication regimen suddenly changes without explanation, this could be a sign of abuse. Some caregivers may withhold medication or provide too much, causing harm to the resident.
If you notice that your loved one is suddenly disoriented, confused, or appears to be overmedicated, this could be a sign that something is amiss.
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Summing Up
By looking for these seven signs, you can easily protect your loved ones from nursing home abuse. If you notice these signs in your loved ones, either talk with the senior management or consult a lawyer.
If you have a loved one living in a nursing home, knowing the warning signs of abuse can help protect them from physical, mental, or verbal exploitation. I hope this guide provided 7 telltale signs that your loved one may be a victim of nursing home abuse that you can learn from.
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