The residents of nursing homes are completely at the mercy of their caregivers. That level of vulnerability leaves them open to abuse by unscrupulous or careless staff members. Abuse can take many forms, sexual, physical, emotional, psychological, financial, and many others. It ‘s hard to conceptualize the various ways that a loved one can be abused. Since you cannot be there to protect them every day, all day, here are a few signs that your loved one is being abused. Not all signs are necessary to give an inference of abuse; even one may be sufficient.
If your loved one experience sudden weight loss, this could indicate abuse. Sudden weight loss could be due to some factors including stress or even the withholding of food. Stress alone may not sound particularly bad, however, stress related to sexual, emotional, or mental abuse is far-reaching and often manifests as a refusal to eat.
Another common sign is bedsores. Residents who cannot get themselves out of bed must be shifted and moved often, or bedsores could develop. The presence of bedsores could indicate that your loved one is not being moved or care for sufficiently.
If your loved one was the victim of nursing home abuse, you might want to consult with an attorney. A lawyer can go over your loved one’s rights to seek compensation and to ensure that the nursing home implements policies to prevent this behavior in the future. It isn’t enough to get money for injuries; you should make sure that the nursing home works to prevent this type of behavior in the future.
