The signs of nursing home abuse or neglect can be obvious. For example, you notice that your elder often has unexplained injuries or their personal hygiene or medical needs are left unaddressed.
At other times, people notice symptoms such as fear reactions or strange moods. It can be difficult to know what causes them, but you may have cause to suspect nursing home abuse. Financial abuse is also a possibility. For example, elders are persuaded to part with money, fall victim to identity theft, or are scammed into allowing staff members access to their banking facilities.
Physical Signs of Nursing Home Abuse
It can be difficult to tell the difference between neglect and abuse, and elders are not always able to speak for themselves. For example, an elder with bruises may have tried to move around unsupervised and fell. This is neglect because of lack of supervision and is cause for concern. Know that you should consider the possibility of nursing home abuse or neglect if:
- There are bruises or marks that may indicate rough treatment.
- The elder has severe bed sores that may indicate neglect.
- There are cuts, scratches, and lacerations.
- Your elder has a serious injury like a broken bone.
- You notice facial injuries.
Although an occasional minor bruise may not be anything to worry about, frequent minor injuries, untreated injuries, or severe injuries can indicate either abuse or neglect.
Emotional Signs of Nursing Home Abuse
Emotional changes can occur as a side-effect of medications or because of the progression of conditions like Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. However, you should never assume that they are par for the course, especially when:
- The elder appears to be afraid of nursing home staff.
- The elder is unresponsive or confused beyond what you would expect given their medical condition.
- Your elderly friend or family member becomes withdrawn and depressed.
- An elder becomes agitated or aggressive for no reason you can understand.
Although there may be other explanations for these symptoms, nursing home abuse is a possibility that should not be ruled out.
Other Signs of Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect
Sure signs of neglect that may also involve abuse include a lack of cleanliness and a sudden decline in overall health. It is also fair to say that knowingly depriving an elder of something they need to remain safe is a form of abuse.
- The person, their bedding, their room, or their clothes are not kept fresh and clean.
- Weight loss can occur for medical reasons, but may also indicate abuse or neglect.
- Be alert for financial abuse. Look out for inexplicable financial transactions or surprising changes to documents.
- Unfortunately, sexual abuse cannot be ruled out as a possible form of nursing home abuse. Bruising in the elder’s private areas and even sexually transmitted diseases may be indicators of sexual abuse.
If you notice one of these, it may be wise to investigate more deeply. A combination of these signs of nursing home abuse and neglect is even more concerning.
What You Can Do if You Become Suspicious
Some families are able to remove their elders from their nursing homes for a time to see whether they fare better under home care. However, this is not always possible. If you have become suspicious about nursing home abuse or neglect:
- Ask for an evaluation by an independent medical doctor.
- Report your concerns to the nursing home’s management, Adult Protective Services (APS), or call the police if the elder appears to be in imminent danger.
- Consult an attorney and discuss your concerns. They may be able to investigate more deeply and can offer legal advice.
- Visit frequently to monitor the elder’s health and to look for signs of ill-treatment.
- Take notes about anything troubling you noticed and photographs of any injuries.
With understaffing common in nursing homes, neglect sometimes occurs, and a lack of supervision may lead to rough treatment and abuse. Your elders deserve a caring environment that preserves their dignity and safety during their final years. Look out for the signs of nursing home abuse and take action if you become concerned.