Caring for older adults can be a lot of work, and not every family can meet the medical needs of their aging loved ones. Knowing there are professionals who can provide the care that you cannot can you give your family peace of mind and your loved one the resources they need to be safe and healthy.
Unfortunately, not everyone who works in a nursing home has the patience or compassion necessary to provide a high standard of care to the people living in the facility. Some people work in nursing homes not because of love for the work. They don’t have better options. These workers may resent the obligations that come with their job and might take that resentment out on the residents. How do you protect your loved one from abuse in a nursing home?
Learn how to identify the signs of elder abuse
Abuse in a nursing home can take on many different forms. Some abuse is physical and will leave behind bruises and other injuries. Some abuse is emotional and will involve staff degrading, berating or otherwise psychologically harming your loved one. People might also engage in financial abuse, which could range from trying to manipulate your loved one into giving them gifts to outright theft.
Checking for signs of bruises or other injuries can help you detect physical abuse. Monitoring the possessions and finances of your loved one can help you spot financial abuse as well. Emotional abuse can be harder to spot, but it might result in a change in personality, such as withdrawing from socialization.
Other warning signs of abuse in a nursing home might include staff refusing to leave you alone with your loved one, dirtiness or lack of care that makes it clear there is neglect occurring or even complaints made by your loved one. If you suspect abuse, the first step you should take is to document your concerns in detail.
From there, you can reach out to management at the nursing home, seek a new facility or even take legal action if the abuse has reached a point where you feel it might endanger your loved one or other adults in the facility.