Is your loved one in a nursing home? If so, you must know the signs of abuse. Many different types of abuse can occur in a nursing home, including neglect and physical abuse.
This blog post will detail some critical warning signs for every kind of abuse to help keep your loved ones safe from harm! And if you happen to notice any of the below signs, please do not hesitate to reach out to top nursing home abuse attorneys.
Dehydration
One of the most common warning signs that an elder is getting neglected is severe dehydration. A senior who has been thirsty for long periods and does not have access to water or one who is bedridden will become dehydrated quickly due to their lack of mobility in drinking liquids.
If they have recently started using wheelchairs or walking aids, they will also become dehydrated at a faster rate.
Infection
One of the most popular entry points for germs is through open wounds on a person or animal. In an elderly care facility, the infection can be severe and quickly spread to other patients as well as members of the staff.
A nursing home abuse victim may have broken bones that are not being addressed and could lead to severe infections in places like the lungs or heart. A person with a weakened immune system may not be able to fight off germs and bacteria as well, which is why they must wear gloves when touching patients who are more susceptible to infection.
Malnutrition
Malnutrition is a sign that the nursing home isn’t providing adequate food to its residents. If older adults experience malnutrition, they are more likely to experience many other health problems and may also have difficulties with their mental processes.
They will be unaware of what’s happening around them and might become withdrawn or irritable due to this lack of nutrition.
Falls, Fractures, and Head Injuries
Falls are the most common type of injury in nursing homes, leading to severe injuries or death. When a resident falls and suffers an injury, it is likely due to carelessness from staff. Head injuries are also common in nursing homes because residents can fall and hit their heads.
These types of falls usually happen when a resident is receiving assistance with walking down the hallways or stairs, making it more difficult to balance as they move along. So, if you notice that your loved one has an unexplained injury on their head, it could be because they fell while being assisted.
Fractures are another common type of injury in nursing homes after a resident falls and hits something with their arm or leg. Like head injuries, these types of falls usually happen when the resident walks down the hallways or stairs solely. The staff’s job is to keep the elder safe, but sometimes they don’t do their duty.
Rapid Weight Loss
Rapid weight loss is one of the first warning signs, but it’s important to note that this can be a natural response to aging. As your body slows down and starts losing its ability to regulate itself, you’ll likely begin to feel less hungry or have difficulties swallowing solid food.
In addition, it becomes more difficult for older adults with dementia or Alzheimer’s to get their food down physically, and, as a result, they may start eating less.
Unexplained Behavior
Older adults can sometimes act in ways that are puzzling to loved ones and caregivers. A sudden change in sleep habits, for example, or a previously introverted person becoming social and chatty with new friends.
These changes get accompanied by withdrawal from family members or visitors and refusal to speak about the past. Additionally, if they refuse medication that they once needed, an unexplained wound on their body, loss of bladder control, sudden weight loss, or if they seem anxious by new people in the home. In that case, it might be a sign of abuse.
Untimely Demise
If a loved one passes away in an assisted living facility, it is often because of neglect. On the other hand, a sudden loss, such as a heart attack or stroke, might signal the death was due to an infection that they should have addressed long before it got out of hand and caused significant damage.
In addition, the elderly are particularly vulnerable to diseases like pneumonia and influenza in nursing homes without adequate care from staff.
One of the most important things that a family member can do for an elderly loved one is to be attentive and act quickly to any signs of nursing home abuse. Elderly care providers are in charge of caring for patients’ physical, emotional, intellectual needs every day and should always be held accountable when they let their responsibilities slide. Nursing homes that get caught in these crimes should be reported to local authorities and, more importantly, the families of patients who have been affected.
