When making the difficult decision to introduce a loved one to a nursing home, there are many factors to consider. The health and wellbeing of the elderly loved one is always the first priority. Sometimes this means that the elderly needs additional help during the day doing everyday tasks or monitoring their medication or other medical ailments. Most people never even think they their loved one could be susceptible to or exposed to elder abuse.
What types of neglect and abuse can an elderly person suffer? There are many incidents and situations that could be considered as elder abuse. The scary thing is that often these incidents happen at nursing homes where the residents are dependent upon their caretakers to varying degrees.
Abuse or nursing home neglect can manifest as physical, mental, emotional or sexual abuse. It is also possible that residents could be coerced or abandoned by their caretaker. Abuse can occur one time or over a period of time before anyone realizes what is going on.
Warning signs of such abuse could manifest as physical evidence, such as bruises, bleeding or bedsores, just to name a few. Also mental instability can be recognized if the elder seems out of sorts or even complains of the abuse they have suffered in one way or another.
The nursing homes today must follow a standard of care administered to all residents and complying with state and federal law. The inability to do this could mean they are responsible for the negligence or abuse that led to devastating injuries to a loved one.
Many wonder if those responsible for nursing home neglect or abuse can be held accountable. The answer is yes, however, it takes a certain level of persistence in order to see these types of accusations through to the end. For those who have seen what elder abuse or neglect looks like first hand, it is a small price to pay for the injustices served to loved ones.
Source: elder.findlaw.com, “Types of Elder Abuse,” Accessed Oct. 19, 2015
