Elder abuse is a tragic and frustrating problem. In many assisted living facilities across the US, elderly patients are targets of abuse and neglect. The many types of abuse, their causes, and their blowback can be difficult to understand. To help you gain insight, here is a guide to the problem of elder abuse in assisted living facilities:
How to Spot Abuse in Assisted Living Facilities
Elderly persons run the danger of experiencing maltreatment at home, in relatives' homes, and in nursing institutions. Many of these neglectful situations go unreported or without being observed, so watching out for loved ones who live in an assisted living facility is always important. Elderly persons are less likely to be able to resist bullying tactics or to defend themselves against verbal or physical abuse as they age and grow more fragile. They might not be able to hear or see as clearly as they could, which could leave them vulnerable to exploitation by others.
If an elderly person's behavior or personality changes, or if there is a frequent air of conflict between the elder and their caretaker, you can presume that the elder is being abused. Look for other abuse indicators if you have reason to believe the elderly person is being abused. You should be on the lookout for signs of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse if you're concerned. Bruising, broken or damaged clothing, social withdrawal, sudden violent mood changes, unexplained injuries, emotional instability, rocking, STDs, and other signs must all be watched for if you want to protect your elderly loved one from an abusive assisted living facility situation.
How to Spot Neglect in Assisted Living Facilities
Nursing home neglect is another form of abuse and can be just as harmful to the emotional and physical needs of patients. Neglect is when a resident suffers as a result of subpar care or duty violations. When medical staff does not perform their duties, when resident care staff are neglectful, or when a lack of site maintenance leads to issues, a case for neglect can be made. Assisted living facilities are often heavily regulated to help prevent this type of abuse and neglect from happening, but the system is far from perfect. If you suspect that a facility is committing neglect, you should get in contact with a nursing home lawyer, and other proper authorities, to report the abuse immediately. Doing so can help you not only protect your loved one but will help you watch out for other assisted care residents who may not have a loved one to speak up for them as well.
Types of Abuse in Assisted Living Facilities
There are many different types of elder abuse that can occur in assisted living facilities. Financial abuse, abandonment, psychological abuse, emotional abuse, self-neglect, sexual abuse, neglect, and many other types of abuse are known to happen. Unfortunately, this neglect and abuse are often committed by a trusted care facility employee that has frequent contact with the elderly patient. They can take advantage of this trust, and the patients' dependence on their care, to abuse and neglect patients.
Some elderly people are challenging to handle because of their many needs, particularly when they are reliant on others for care or have numerous medical concerns. The elderly person may experience issues due to demands vs their capacity to meet them. Because of this factor, assisted care staff need to be prepared to deal with potentially problematic patients, while steering clear of abusive or neglectful behavior. The job requires a ton of responsibility and emotional intelligence to perform safely and successfully.
Even if the caregiver is paid and employed by a nursing home, the stress it causes may result in elder abuse. If nursing facility staff are overworked, undertrained, forced to work in unsanitary conditions, or otherwise unfit to care for the elderly, they may be more likely to abuse the elderly. Assisted care facilities owe it to their staff and patients to create a safe, and properly stocked facility (and working environment).
Protect Your Loved One from Elderly Abuse
Now that you know the facts, you can be a more successful and vigilant guardian of your loved one during their stay in an assisted care facility. Knowing what signs of abuse and neglect look like, and being proactive in pushing back against possible abuse, can save your loved one's life. By working with a trusted legal professional, you can even more effectively ensure that your elderly loved one remains safe, secure, and happy during their time in an assisted living facility.
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