Seniors frequently reach a stage where they can no longer worry about themselves or receive care at home. When this occurs, folks who have elderly family members often choose nursing facilities. These facilities provide secure housing communities with 24-hour care and medical personnel.
Unfortunately, abuse and neglect are common targets among nursing facility residents. To properly care for your elderly loved one, you must know a few danger indicators of abuse in nursing homes and contact a nursing home neglect attorney if you suspect anything.
Behavioral alterations
Sometimes, your loved ones undergo personality changes that are not brought on by abuse. Nursing home residents, for instance, may experience mood swings and a diminished desire to socialize if they have specific medical diseases like dementia or Alzheimer’s.
However, abrupt and unusual behavioral alterations may be a sign of abuse. Elderly seniors who are neglected or subjected to physical or psychological abuse may display excessive behaviors like anxiety or aggression. Disruptions to one’s eating or resting schedules are another example of these alterations.
Unaccounted-for injuries
While it is true that seniors are more prone to falling, falls ought to be incredibly uncommon in a nursing facility with secure surroundings and attentive staff. It is abusive if a resident falls due to carelessness or inattention.
Physical abuse can also lead to wounds like cuts, bruises, or broken bones. Nursing personnel, as well as other inhabitants, may be guilty of this.
Bed sores and bad hygiene
Poor hygiene indicates that an older resident is experiencing subpar care or is being cruelly neglected. A few indicators of poor hygiene involve:
- Dirty linens or sheets
- soiled clothing
- unwashed baby diapers
- unkempt teeth
Additionally, bedsores are a clear sign of negligent treatment. Bedsores develop when a bedridden patient remains in one condition for an extended period and are brought on by poor nutrition. These sores are excruciatingly painful and, if left untreated, can develop into dangerous infections.
Dehydration and weight loss.
Weight loss can be caused by aging and some drugs. However, seniors will unavoidably lose weight if they are undernourished or dehydrated. Dehydration and malnutrition can cause significant health problems and make people susceptible to other diseases.
Financial decisions that seem unusual.
Staff personnel accessing your loved one’s confidential financial information may potentially constitute nursing home abuse. A caregiver could attempt to execute economic abuse by stealing directly or pressuring a resident to reveal their personal details.
