There are many signs that abuse may be happening to an elderly loved one while living in a nursing home. Knowing what the signs are is incredibly important in intervening to protect your senior relative as soon as you see that something is wrong. Older people are at a risk of being abused, especially while living in a nursing home. Many cases of abuse or neglect go unreported or unnoticed. If you suspect that your loved one is the victim in harmful or neglectful situations, or is being exploited financially, there are some things that you need to do now to ensure their safety moving forward.
Elder abuse may not be immediately taken seriously by supervisors or family members. They may think that the senior person has developed dementia or are confused and just not making any sense. The signs of abuse can overlap with deterioration of the mind, but each case should be investigated fully, so that further incidents of mistreatment are avoided. Abuse can take on many forms, including physical, mental, sexual, and financial. If you notice that something is not right with your senior loved one’s care in a nursing home, then now is the time to take action to protect them. Here are signs that nursing home abuse may be happening to your family member:
- Unexplained dislocations, sprains, or broken bones
- Welt, scars, and bruising on the body
- Not taking medications properly
- Broken or missing eyeglasses
- Rope marks on the elder’s writs
- Refusal of caretaker to let family be alone with resident
- Unusual behavior that can resemble dementia, such as sucking thumb, rocking, or mumbling
- Unexplained genital infections or STDs
- Stained, torn, or bloody underwear
- Anal or vaginal bleeding not related to medical condition
- Bruising around the breasts or genital area
- Unsafe or unkempt living conditions
- Unsuitably dressed for weather
- Living in soiled clothes or bed sheets
- Unusual weight loss or dehydration
- Lack of medical attention and care
- Unusual purchasing of goods, services, or subscriptions
- Sudden changes to estate plan documents
- Duplicate bills for devices or services
- Not enough staff to care for all residents equally
As we age and become more frail, we are less likely to stand up to others if they are bullying us or causing us harm. As a lawyer may forewarn, like a nursing home abuse lawyer Chicago, IL families trust at Dave Albo, a senior person may be unable to fight back physically, and may be worried about worsened treatment if they try to defend themselves. An older person may not be able to see or hear as well as they had before, providing an opportunity for malicious people to take advantage of them. Because the elderly population is vulnerable to developing mental and physical limitations, they can become more challenging for nursing home caretakers to manage. However, there is absolutely no excuse for inflicting abuse or neglect on a senior person in any circumstance, and this includes at a nursing home facility.