Older adults in long-term care cannot always fend for themselves. Though physical and emotional abuse is unfortunately common, sometimes elder abuse takes the form of incompetence or neglect.
According to the Nursing Home Abuse Guide, elders are the least likely demographic to report abuse. Do not risk the health of the loved one in your life. Keep reading to learn about some signs of nursing home negligence.
General symptoms
A victim of nursing home abuse typically broadcasts some general signs. The elderly may be less likely to voice their discomfort or mistreatment. However, pay attention to personality changes or random mood swings.
Hygiene and comfort
Besides the emotional state of your elder family member, look out for physical signs too. Signs of nursing home neglect include poor hygiene, improper dress, dirty bedsheets bedsores. Also, a neglectful caretaker might leave the older adult in an unsafe environment. Ensure the climate control in your loved one’s room is comfortable and check if all their facilities like water, heat and electricity work properly.
Signs in your caretaker
Sometimes a caregiver might fall into a pattern of self-destructive behavior. Eldercare is an emotionally challenging job, and your caregiver might exhibit signs of depression or stress. In other cases, an elder care worker might not have enough help to perform their job correctly. Get to know the person you entrust with your family member. This is an excellent way to stay on top of potential neglect.
You want the best for the elderly person in your life. Please do not take the competence or benevolence of their caretakers for granted. Do your research about elderly abuse and make sure it does not happen to your loved one.