Elder abuse is a subject that has brought so much concern over the years across the United States, and unfortunately, the number of cases of many forms of abuse in nursing homes is devastating.
It is even more sad that seniors, who are relying on full-time care in nursing homes get mistreated from neglect to outright abuse. That is why it is so important to understand what elder abuse is. After that, recognizing the signs of abuse is essential in protecting your elderly loved one’s rights, and the most important step families can take is to learn and take preventive measures.
If the abuse happens, you need to know how to recognize it as soon as possible, and what legal actions, if necessary, you should take to protect your loved one well-being and pursue justice.
Types of Elder Abuse in Nursing Homes
If you are wondering how to recognize the signs of abuse, first of all, you need to learn all the various forms in which elder abuse can manifest in nursing homes.
- Physical Abuse: If a resident has unexplained bruises, burns, or fractures, this can be an indicator of physical harm that’s coming from caregivers or other residents.
- Emotional Abuse: This type of abuse can have a devastating impact on a resident’s mental health, and it usually involves insults, threats, or isolation.
- Neglect: This is the type of abuse that it’s reflecting in failing to meet basic needs, like providing proper diet, water, or hygiene. This is also the most common form of abuse in nursing homes.
- Financial Exploitation: This is a serious issue, and it usually happens when one of the staff members is using the resident’s financial resources without authorization.
- Sexual Abuse: Any non-consensual sexual contact is sexual abuse and must be addressed immediately.
Signs to Watch For
Now, as you know what are the most common types of abuse in nursing homes, here are signs that you should watch for, which may include:
- Sudden changes in mood or behavior
- Unexplained injuries or frequent visits to the hospital
- Poor hygiene or malnutrition
- Big mood changes or withdrawal from social activities
- Disappearance of personal belongings or financial irregularities
Preventing Elder Abuse
You came to the most important part, and that is how you can, as a family member, prevent abuse. First of all, the most important decision and a big part of the prevention of abuse is choosing a reputable nursing home. There are many indicators that you should be looking at thoroughly when choosing the facility where your senior loved one will be staying, from staff-to-resident ratio, inspection rates, environment, and staff interaction with residents, to overall cleanliness. Some of them you can check online, but if you want to be entirely sure that you are making the right choice, you should go to the facility you are considering choosing, and check everything in person.
Education is also very important. You need to understand the rights of nursing home residents, which are not the same in all states because it depends on their laws. If you know enough about your loved one’s rights, as a family you can effectively advocate for him/her.
Also, it is good to know that there are many support organizations across the states. For example, in New York City, organizations like the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program provide additional support for families concerned about care standards. Similarly, in Georgia, the Georgia Department of Human Services offers resources for those navigating eldercare challenges.
What to Do if Abuse is Suspected
If you suspect that your elderly family member is abused in a nursing home, it is crucial to act immediately. You should document all the signs of abuse that you have recognized, such as photos of injuries or written records of behavioral changes. Then you should report your concerns to the nursing home administration. If necessary, you should also contact local authorities or adult protective services.
Here are some data points that should help you realize the severity of not taking action in abuse cases. In New York City, there have been 2,857 reported abuse reports of nursing home residents in 2023 (according to data from the official NYC government website). Chicago doesn’t have specified numbers, however state-wide reports (Illinois) show that there have been 240,363 reported cases of elder abuse.
Miami is the same as Chicago, only state-wide (Florida) data is available. Florida has one of the highest numbers of elder abuse in the United States with 463,988 cases – almost double that of Illinois. Los Angeles doesn’t have specific numbers available, however, they did report a significant increase since 2018, which is alarming.
Legal action can be crucial, especially in severe cases. Consulting a lawyer specialized in this type of case can provide families with guidance on navigating the legal process. If you’re from The Big Apple, you can search for a nursing home abuse and neglect lawyer in New York City, NY. Same thing you can do in any (major) city with appropriate resources available like Chicago, Lost Angeles, etc. Specialized legal teams help families to seek justice and protect the rights of their senior loved ones.
Conclusion
As mentioned, unfortunately, elder abuse is a serious problem and statistics of elder abuse in nursing homes are worrying. That means that anyone who has made a decision to place his senior loved one in one of these facilities must be more than careful.
Choosing the right nursing home that is reputable and has met all the standards of high-quality care is essential, but that is just the beginning. Staying active and informed is crucial because you need to monitor your loved ones’ well-being if you want to notice any change for the worse.
Also, you need to learn all types of abuse in nursing home centers and how to recognize the signs of abuse. Make sure to report immediately if you suspect abuse and to seek legal help in order to pursue justice and protect your loved one.
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