Nursing homes are supposed to be sanctuaries where our aging loved ones are treated with respect and cared for. However, the reality is different all too often. What should be a haven becomes a place of abuse and suffering. And because you may not see your loved one daily, it can be hard to tell if they’re suffering from nursing home abuse or not. Here are a few tell-tale signs that often indicate nursing home abuse.
While the elderly are more susceptible to slip-and-fall injuries, the prevalence of physical injuries may be a sign that your loved one is being abused. Broken bones and fractures, bruises and welts, and broken belongings can all be signs of physical abuse. Your loved one may also withdraw socially or be easily startled.
Sexual abuse in nursing homes can go undetected, often because we do our best to deny that it exists. Sadly, it is all too common. Signs that your loved one may be subject to sexual abuse include social withdrawal, torn or bloodied underwear, bleeding from the vagina or anus, bruises around the genitalia or breasts, and changes in behavior, particularly around specific individuals.
Nursing home abuse isn’t limited to physical and sexual abuse. Emotional abuse may be the most prevalent. It’s also the hardest to notice because it doesn’t leave behind any physical signs. Some things to look for include unusual behavior in your loved one, such as self-soothing, and signs of dementia in those who don’t suffer from it. Changes in behavior around specific staff members are also signs of emotional abuse. It’s also important to pay attention while you’re visiting and look for instances where staff may belittle, mock, harass, or threaten elderly people in their care.
Neglect also falls under the header of nursing home abuse, and it can be one of the most insidious threats your loved one faces. Signs of neglect include a lack of bathing and personal grooming, bedsores developing on patients, bedding that hasn’t been changed, not being dressed appropriately for the weather, and similar situations.
If you suspect that your loved one is being abused or neglected in their nursing home, it’s important to act immediately to protect them. Contact Grewer Law today to schedule a consultation and learn how we can help.
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