We have a duty to protect and care for our senior population, especially our loved ones. Sometimes, we entrust their care to others, such as a senior living facility to assist them in their daily activities. Unfortunately, some facilities or individuals can take advantage of this and mistreat or neglect seniors, resulting in emotional or physical trauma, and sometimes even death. It’s crucial to be aware of the dangers of nursing home abuse to be proactive in preventing it or know how to take action once abuse has already occurred.
What Is Nursing Home Abuse?
Nursing home abuse occurs when a senior care facility harms, neglects, or steals from a senior in their care. Abuse can be intentional or unintentional; neglect can be unintentional but result in the illness or death of a senior citizen. Many factors lead to nursing home abuse, such as staff shortages, improper healthcare training, or even burnout. Some facilities see a lot of senior residents or patients and do not have the time or training to care for so many.
Types of Nursing Home Abuse
Nursing home abuse presents in many different forms. They can cause physical damage, death, or emotional distress. Some cases of nursing home abuse even involve financial abuse.
Neglect
Neglect can be quite common in nursing home facilities. This can present as ignoring a senior’s calls for help, ignoring injuries or illness symptoms, not feeding or bathing adequately, or leaving seniors unattended to get themselves into danger. Malnutrition, dehydration, bedsores, sepsis, and unexplained weight loss can be indicative of neglect.
Physical Abuse
Nursing home abuse can be physical, causing injury or death. This usually occurs by hitting, slapping, denying or overprescribing medication, breaking bones, or any other abuse causing physical symptoms. Some staff may even strategically harm in places that don’t show immediately, hiding the injuries from family or staff. Signs include broken bones, bruises, cuts, lacerations, welts, and infections.
Emotional Abuse
Since senior citizens in nursing homes are often vulnerable and can suffer from diseases such as dementia, it can be quite easy for staff to abuse them emotionally. This can include yelling, gaslighting, lying, threatening, or other forms of causing stress, fear, or sadness.
Sexual Abuse
It can be common for senior residents in nursing homes to experience sexual abuse from staff or other residents. Common signs of this include unexplainable STDs, injuries to the genital and mouth area, ripped clothing, and emotional distress.
Financial Abuse
Some staff or facilities steal or collect excess money from vulnerable populations such as senior citizens. This can happen through directly stealing funds from wallets or purses, overcharging for services, or tricking seniors into giving away money for any reason. It’s important to check financial statements for seniors often, including bills, checks, and debit card transactions.
Preventing Nursing Home Abuse
While it’s no one’s fault but the abuser in cases of nursing home abuse, it can be prevented in several ways.
Check In Frequently
Checking on your senior loved one as often as possible and encouraging honest discussions with them can help determine if they’re being mistreated. Checking for injuries or signs of neglect, especially with senior loved ones who have trouble communicating openly, can save their life.
Review Nursing Homes
While many nursing homes may seem promising in person or on their website, they are susceptible to who they hire. Check reviews for any nursing home facility you’re considering. Inquire about their hiring process and security policies. Check their history such as searching the Better Business Bureau for any questionable content.
Manage Their Finances
While you don’t have to take over your senior loved one’s finances entirely, having access to their bank statements, facility bills, or any other transactions can help you determine if they’re being stolen from or swindled out of their money from a staff member or the facility.
Meet Their Caregivers
Meet and talk to caregivers that are directly in charge of your senior loved one. While abusers can hide their true nature, you may be able to see warning signs of neglect or cruelty when speaking to them in person. This shouldn’t be solely relied upon, however, as many people are excellent at appearing kind to others.
Taking Action
Sometimes, even when every precaution has been taken, abuse still occurs. Ask the facility and your senior loved one about the evidence you’re seeing; if their answers are suspicious or unsatisfactory, you may need to pursue action. It’s important to report neglect or abuse to the appropriate authorities. If your loved one is in immediate danger, contact 911 immediately. Be vigilant; take notes, and gather as much evidence (pictures, statements, witnesses) as possible. Staying calm can help you approach the matter with a clear head. You’ll likely want to consider contacting a lawyer. You’ll want one in the city or state where the abuse occurred. For example, Illinois residents can hire a Chicago nursing home abuse lawyer, but New Yorkers should look for New York attorneys.
Conclusion
Nursing home abuse is a horrific occurrence that can happen to anyone, regardless of the precautions taken. Being proactive can reduce the risk, but it’s important to know what to do if you suspect or know nursing home abuse is occurring. Inquire about the abuse, report to authorities when applicable, and consider contacting a lawyer.
