Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect
If you suspect that your loved one may be a victim of abuse or neglect in a nursing home, do not hesitate to speak up. Your intuition is a good tool for protecting yourself, the person you are caring for, and others. When in doubt, document any suspicious behavior and document your observations to show the nursing home administrator that you have concerns. Abuse and neglect is never tolerable. However, there are signs you should look out for that could help you prevent abuse and neglect.
Signs of abuse and neglect
If you or a loved one has recently moved into a nursing home, you may be concerned that your loved one may be experiencing abuse or neglect. Fortunately, there are a few signs that you can look out for to help prevent a situation from becoming even worse. These signs can often go undetected, but if you’ve spotted them, you can help stop it in its tracks. Here are some of the most common indicators of abuse and neglect:
Injuries: Unexplained bruises are another red flag. These bruises could be a sign of physical abuse. You should question why a bruise appeared on your loved one’s body, and whether or not the nursing home reported it to the state. Bruising may be a sign of a serious problem, so questions about the injuries should be asked. If the nursing home does not answer your questions, it’s time to move on to another facility. Get more information here.
Causes of abuse and neglect
In a survey of 577 nursing home employees, researchers found that one in five of them experienced or witnessed abuse and neglect. In addition to incidents of physical abuse, respondents also reported instances where a resident was restrained excessively or abused. Physical abuse includes excessive use of restraints, grabbing, pinching, and pushing. The abuse may also take the form of throwing something at a resident or striking them with a fist or object. Of those who reported experiencing abuse or neglect, almost one third admitted committing it themselves.
Moreover, residents of nursing homes that fail to provide adequate care for the elderly may suffer from dehydration or malnutrition. Other resulting problems may be untreated infections, bedsores, and mobility issues. Similarly, soiled linen and clothing may indicate that a resident suffered from neglect. The conditions may lead to sepsis and other serious health issues. In addition, a nursing home should ensure that its residents have access to clean drinking water.
Common forms of abuse and neglect in nursing homes
Financial abuse occurs when a nursing home employee takes advantage of a resident by forging their signature or stealing their possessions. Other forms of financial abuse include healthcare fraud. Elderly residents are also vulnerable to neglect when nursing home staff neglects their basic needs, including food, clothing, shelter, and medicine. These forms of abuse may be hard to detect, since they leave no physical marks. Family members should monitor the elder’s bank accounts and monitor any payments received from social security or pension.
The most common form of abuse and neglect in nursing homes is emotional. This type of abuse can cause the elderly resident to feel intimidated, depressed, or humiliated. It can also include verbal abuse, humiliation, and demeaning behavior. Some nursing homes may even fail to keep their residents’ rooms clean. Abuse in this setting is difficult to detect, but it can be easily prevented. The signs of emotional abuse and neglect may include physical signs.
Reporting abuse and neglect
Reporting abuse and neglect in nursing homes is a key part of the legal process (see more here) to prevent elder abuse. A recent study cited above uncovered many instances of nursing home abuse and neglect. Families reported residents with bruises, falls, and other signs of severe neglect. Many times, residents were left in pain for days before a family member or physician could arrive and take action. Even worse, in some cases, residents died from abuse or neglect.
According to Hawes et al., in 1998, a majority of nursing home employees admitted to abusing residents. However, the rate was not consistent across states. Some respondents labeled reported incidents as overreporting. Despite this problem, the numbers are encouraging. The next step is to improve the quality of care at nursing homes and improve the safety of the residents. A quality nursing home staff will be a key component in ensuring the safety of elderly residents.