Health care facilities, like nursing homes, should be safe havens for our elderly relatives. Sadly, these can become places of fear and mistreatment. Elder abuse in nursing homes is a heartbreaking reality that affects countless families.
As you worry about your aging parent or grandparent, you might wonder what signs to watch for and how to protect them. This blog will shed light on the most common types of elder abuse prevalent in care facilities. By understanding these dangers, you’ll be better equipped to spot red flags and take action.
4 common types of abuse to watch out for
Elder abuse remains a persistent issue in California, where there are roughly 200,000 cases reported every year. The figure underscores the importance of taking action to address this issue.
While there are many types of mistreatment, the most prevalent include neglect as well as physical, emotional and sexual abuse. Here’s what you need to know:
- Neglect: Neglect in nursing homes occurs when staff fail to provide adequate care, leading to deterioration in a resident’s physical and emotional health. Unlike deliberate abuse, neglect often stems from carelessness or understaffing issues. Common signs of neglect include medication errors, poor personal hygiene and malnutrition.
- Physical abuse: Nursing home aides or other residents may inflict bodily harm on elderly residents. This can result in visible injuries like bruises, broken bones, or bleeding.
- Emotional abuse: Emotional, verbal or psychological abuse occurs when someone insults a resident or threatens to control them. This treatment may result in long-term mental health problems like anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression.
- Sexual abuse: This involves coercion or any unwanted sexual contact. It can cause physical injuries, sexually transmitted diseases and severe emotional trauma. Disturbingly, perpetrators of sexual abuse often target residents who are disabled or unable to provide consent or fight back.
Constant communication with your senior relatives may help you detect the signs of abuse. By asking them how they spend their days and listening to their stories, you may help protect them and prevent further injury.
Taking the next step
Elder abuse in nursing homes is an issue that demands attention and action. By recognizing the signs and understanding the legalities surrounding this issue, you may help protect your elderly loved ones.