Due to the economic downturn, many older adults have had to rely on government assistance and privately funded programs to ensure they still have a place to live.
That has led to a sharp uptick in nursing homes across the country. But that shift toward more of these homes has also exposed some disturbing trends regarding elder care, especially abuse.
In recent years, we've seen an alarming increase in nursing home abuse and neglect reports. The exact scope and prevalence of nursing home abuse are difficult to measure since many instances go unreported or are never brought to light in court.
However, we know that anyone with an aging loved one needs to be aware of the warning signs if they suspect something isn't right at their senior housing facility.
Abuse in a nursing home is any mistreatment inflicted on a resident. This mistreatment can be physical, emotional, sexual, or financial.
Physical abuse in a nursing home can include hitting, slapping, pushing, hitting, kicking, shoving, or restraining someone. Sexual abuse in a nursing home can consist of unwanted touching, unwanted sexual comments, or sexual intercourse.
Emotional abuse in a nursing home can include name-calling, insulting someone, treating someone like they're inferior, preventing a loved one from communicating with others, or threatening someone.
Financial abuse in a nursing home can include stealing a resident's money, money from their estate, or Social Security checks.
For any of these types of abuse, the nursing home staff must be aware of what's happening and choose to ignore it. Unfortunately, that happens far too often in our country's nursing homes.
The first sign of nursing home abuse is often a sudden change in the behavior of an elderly loved one. Be sure to investigate if they become withdrawn, uncharacteristically quiet, or exhibit signs of anxiety or fear.
Other signs to look for include unexplained injuries, cuts, broken bones, marks on the skin, or a sudden change in diet. Check their medical records to see if any of these symptoms were noted.
Keep an eye on your loved one's hygiene. If they become unkempt, have a change in diet, or smell bad, those can all be warning signs that they're not being treated properly.
Get in the habit of regularly checking in with your loved one to see how they're doing, how their day was, and how they're being treated.
In nursing facilities, neglect is the most common kind of abuse and frequently the forerunner to other forms of mistreatment. It can be hard to spot because it's not always as evident as hitting or slapping, but it can be just as dangerous to your loved one's health.
Common signs of neglect include:
These can lead to worsened health, infections, and even death. If you see signs of neglect, report it immediately, and don't assume that the facility will handle it. You may be able to save your loved one from further injury or even death.
Financial exploitation is abuse when someone coerces or tricks a senior into giving them money or access to their finances.
This can include persuading them to sign over their assets, tricking them into making a significant withdrawal from their bank account, or getting them to sign a loan or credit card bill that they shouldn't have to pay back.
If your loved one is receiving Medicaid, keep an eye out for signs that someone is trying to get their hands on their money.
These people may try to get them to make a withdrawal, have them sign over their bank account, or even trick them into paying something they don't have to. If you see signs of financial exploitation, report it immediately.
This kind of abuse can be investigated and stopped before it gets out of hand and your loved one loses even more money than they already have.
Nursing home residents are some of our society's most vulnerable. They are often elderly, frail, and unable to defend themselves. Unfortunately, this makes them targets for physical abuse.
Physical abuse in nursing homes can manifest itself in a variety of ways. It can be as simple as a staff member roughing up a resident during transfers or bathing, or it can be much more severe, such as hitting, kicking, or even sexual assault. Sadly, physical abuse is all too common in nursing homes.
According to a recent survey, roughly one out of every ten residents has been physically mistreated by staff personnel. And this number is likely even higher, as many cases of abuse go unreported. It is critical to search for symptoms of abuse if you have a loved one in a nursing home.
These can include bruises, cuts, broken bones, bed sores, and sudden changes in behavior. Do not hesitate to inform the authorities if you feel your loved one is being mistreated.
Unfortunately, nursing home abuse and neglect are disturbing, especially when the facilities are understaffed or underfunded. That's why it's essential to be aware of the signs and report any situation you think might involve mistreatment.
In the meantime, if you have aging loved ones, be sure to research and only choose a nursing home with a stellar reputation for maintaining a healthy and safe environment for all its residents.
Whether you or a loved one has been harmed in a nursing home, you may be able to seek financial restitution. Call Ryan T. Hughes Law Firm to find out more about your legal options and how we can assist you.
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