Aventura Nursing Home Abuse Blog

Interventions are needed when the elderly are being neglected. No matter who it is, no one deserves to be treated as if they're worthless or not deserving of care. Elder neglect often starts slow, but when those who neglect or abuse others realize that no one will stop them, the abuse can become significant.

Around one out of every 10 elders experiences abuse or neglect by a caregiver each year. The sad thing is that most researchers agree that the number of people struggling with abuse is going to continue to grow.

A vast majority of nursing homes take great care of their residents. There are certainly plenty of retirement homes in Florida, and thousands of retirees flock to the state every year to enjoy the sunshine and coastline. However, there is still improvement these homes can make throughout the state to prevent elder abuse and neglect. 

Every state in the country has laws on the books to help prevent elder abuse, but it can still occur. A recent study occurred that examined which states had the best protections to prevent elder abuse and which states had the fewest protections. Massachusetts ranked the best while South Carolina was at the bottom of the list. Florida ranked in the middle in 22nd place. While Florida is by no means a bad place for people to retire, improvements are possible. That statement is true of every state in the nation. Therefore, it is critical for lawmakers to work harder to ensure senior citizens have the necessary protections. 

Dehydration is a real health concern for many elderly people. It can occur when people don't consume as much water as their bodies need to function properly, and can lead to serious and potentially fatal conditions.

Elderly people, even if they live at home, often don't drink enough for a number of reasons. As people get older, they don't get as thirsty as they used to. If they have mobility issues, going to the kitchen for a glass of water may not seem worth the effort. Those extra glasses of water mean more trips to the bathroom, which they'd rather avoid. Some medications and health conditions can also contribute to dehydration.

Many people naturally worry about elder abuse in nursing homes. Although physical abuse certainly occurs, loved ones of senior citizens need to also be aware of the dangers of financial abuse. 

New stories have come up over the years of nursing home employees funneling money out of retirees' accounts or stealing valuables. The American Association of Retired Persons has a list of symptoms to look out for and what actions you should take if you notice them in a loved one.