Living in assisted living is different from being in a nursing home. Patients do more to help themselves, requiring less care than a traditional nursing-home patient. Assisted-living patients may need assistance with some chores or daily tasks but be able to take care of themselves most of the time.
Sadly, they are still prone to abuse. They may be victims of neglect or exploitation. Physical abuse, emotional abuse and financial exploitation are all kinds of common assisted-living abuse patients face.
Physical abuse may include things like pushing or hitting patients. Emotional abuse could include name-calling or verbal harassment. Financial exploitation could occur if an assisted-living resident is taken advantage of financially, costing them hundreds or thousands of dollars.
Keep in mind that one of the most dangerous forms of abuse is neglect. With neglect, patients may not get the care they need when they need it. For instance, an assisted-living patient might need help with bathing, but if an assisted-living caretaker does not come to the patient’s room to help, the patient could go days or weeks without bathing. This could lead to infections and other signs of poor hygiene.
Patients have the right to be treated with respect, and they shouldn’t have to worry about being neglected or abused. If you notice that a loved one is showing signs of abuse or complains about the people caring for them frequently, it is time to speak up and look into the situation. Taking steps to prevent abuse and neglect early on could help save your loved one’s life in the future.
