Elder neglect can involve many different people, from those who are related to the elders to those hired to take care of them. It can be hard to identify neglect, especially if your loved one is trying to hide that they’re being victimized. It is important that you do your best to monitor any caregiving situation and to provide the elderly person with the opportunity to give feedback on their care.
Elder neglect is more likely in cases where an elder has no one to reach out to or cannot report injuries or abuse. For example, an elder with dementia may get hurt by a nurse, but they may not remember that it happened the next time their see family. On top of that, patients with dementia often get confused, so they may be unsure if the nurse hurt them or if they fell or got hurt on their own.
Even patients who are mentally healthy may not admit that they’re being abused or neglected. They may feel ashamed and not want to trouble the people around them. It’s essential that you talk to your loved one and let them know that you are open to listen to any problems they have, so that they know that you can help.
What are some signs of elder neglect?
Some possible signs of elder neglect include:
- Malnutrition
- Weight loss
- Falls
- Pressure sores
- Dehydration
- Unusual bruising
- Repeated falls
- Unexplained injuries
If your loved one has any of these signs of neglect or abuse, make sure you get them medical care and discuss what happened with the nursing home, nursing aide or the party who was responsible for taking care of your loved one.