Elder abuse in nursing homes is sadly an all too common occurrence, and it can take many forms. It’s important to be aware of the signs of abuse in a nursing home, so you can take steps to ensure the safety of your loved one. Below, we’ll explore five key signs of possible abuse in a nursing home setting.
1. Unexplained or Unaccounted-For Injuries
One sign of elder abuse in a nursing home is when physical injuries appear without an explanation for how they occurred. It could include bruises, cuts, scrapes, burns or other marks on their body. In some cases, the victim may not even remember how they got hurt; this is known as “forgetting injury” and can be caused by trauma or stress.
2. Unexplained Changes In Behavior Or Personality
Another common sign of elder abuse in a nursing home involves changes in behavior or personality that seem out of character for your loved one. This could involve sudden aggression, anxiety, fearfulness or even withdrawal from activities they normally enjoyed before being admitted into the facility. If your loved one seems like a different person than when they entered the home, it could be cause for concern and deserves further investigation.
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3. Dirtiness/Poor Hygiene of Your Loved One
When visiting your elderly family member in nursing homes, pay close attention to them and any changes you notice in their condition or hygiene levels. Issues such as bed sores and skin infections are cause for concern, especially if other residents are not suffering from similar conditions that suggest neglect or lack of hygiene care by staff at the home.
4. Financial Abuse Or Other Types of Theft
Elderly people living in nursing homes can sometimes become victims of financial abuse from either fellow patients or staff members at the facility itself. This type of financial exploitation usually involves someone taking advantage of their position to gain access to funds or assets that belong to the resident without their consent, such as misusing power-of-attorney documents and writing checks without permission. This should be taken seriously and reported if you suspect something is wrong. Look out for unusual bank withdrawals, credit card charges, and cash shortages around times when staff are present inside their room.
5. Abuse from Other Residents
It goes unsaid that elderly people living together as part of a larger community are likely vulnerable to abusive behaviors from other residents as well as staff members within the same facility. Always remain vigilant and look out for changes that might point towards this situation being true. Check if there are any unexplained scratches or bruises on your loved ones body after visitations and watch out for any problems with getting along with new roommates before making any decisions about relocating them. It’s important to note that non-consensual physical contact between patients isn’t allowed either, so don’t let this continue if it does arise. If you do spot issues, contact nursing home malpractice attorneys for advice on your best course of action.
Remember, it’s important to be vigilant and aware of signs of elder abuse in a nursing home, to keep your loved one safe.
