You love your family member, but their care is not something you can handle on your own. As a result, you decided to place them in a nursing home, where they’d have around-the-clock carers to provide for them.
Your hope turned to dismay when you heard that your loved one had fallen and broken bones. You felt even worse when you discovered that your loved one had the start of pressure sores discovered at the hospital.
Elders are all at risk of abuse
All elders are at risk of abuse when they’re in need of care from others. They may be unable to express themselves and have trouble relaying information about their care, which makes it harder to know if they’re being abused.
Statistics show that women are more likely to be abused, and most victims of abuse have few or no family or friends who are nearby. Those with dementia and memory problems are also more likely to be abused than others.
Can you tell if abuse is a problem for your loved one?
If there are physical signs and evidence, then it’s usually easy to tell that abuse has taken place. Other symptoms include:
- Sudden weight loss
- Unexplained bruising or scarring
- Bed sores or the development of other preventable conditions
- Poor hygiene
There are many other symptoms, but these are a few that you may recognize right away.
Our elders deserve better than the care they often receive. If your loved one is hurt, speak up so that the abuse can be stopped. They deserve to live in a safe environment.
