You have seen your loved one's mood change as they grow older. They used to be so happy and upbeat. It slowly started to fade. Now, it seems like they're depressed all the time. In fact, it seems like more than just feeling down about changing circumstances -- a loss of freedom when they moved into a nursing home, for instance -- and it may even be clinical depression.
Why won't some elders report abuse?
Elderly individuals don't always have the ability to speak out when they've become victims of abuse. Even in an assisted-living situation, it may be hard for them to contact loved ones to seek support.
When bruises are and are not signs of abuse
Few things can rattle you faster than suspected nursing home abuse of an aging parent. After all, you want to do what you can to ensure your parent receives appropriate care. Still, a bruise may or may not be evidence of elder abuse.
Get help for negligent hiring that led to injuries or death
Elder abuse is something that shouldn't happen in America. There are many great medical professionals who do all they can to protect their patients. Sadly, some nursing homes don't do what they need to do to make sure the people they hire won't cause harm to their patients.
Issues with caregivers that may lead to neglect
Caregivers neglect the elderly for many reasons, whether they are in-home caregivers or workers at a nursing home or assisted living facility. As a family member, you really need to be aware of some of the risks, as neglect can be just as bad as abuse. The injuries or negative impacts may not be intentional, but that does not mean they don't exist. The elderly deserve a higher quality of care.
Best practices are critical in your nursing home research
If you are beginning the search for a nursing home where your elderly loved one will receive the best care, what, exactly, do you look for? How do you determine “excellence”?
Pay close attention to loved ones in assisted-living communities
In an assisted-living facility, the idea is that the elderly don't need as much help as if they were in a nursing home. They retain some of their independence, but they're still monitored by people who can help them when needed.
Florida mulls putting cameras in nursing homes
Right now, family members may choose to set up cameras in nursing homes, but they cannot demand that the nursing home does it for them. They have no legal right to say that the room has to be under camera surveillance all of the time.
Is neglect and abuse the same?
While they're associated with one another, abuse and neglect are not actually the same thing. Abuse refers to the mistreatment of a person physically and psychologically. Neglect means to fail to care for someone.
What the nursing home may be hiding from you
When your loved one moves into a nursing home, the staff probably gives you a tour that makes it look like the residents will love it in the home. And perhaps they will. But if you are trying to look for signs of neglect and red flags, it's important to keep in mind that the nursing home staff may not tell you everything.
