Nursing home residents in Florida who experience abuse can suffer debilitating effects. Psychological, emotional, physical and financial effects of abuse can diminish your family member’s independence and shorten his or her lifespan.
Knowing who the perpetrators of mistreatment are can help you educate and prepare your family member to advocate for personal comfort and safety.
Caretakers and staff members
Caretakers agree to treat your loved ones with compassion, dignity and respect. Depending on your family member’s situation, a nursing home facility could provide help with a number of tasks including daily hygiene, medical treatments and physical therapy. The World Health Organization shared a statistic claiming that a startling two out of every three nursing home caretakers admitted to abusing residents in their care.
When you look for a long-term care facility, notice how you feel when you interact with the staff. Observe how they treat other residents. Get a feel for the overall environment and demeanor of everyone you come in contact with. When your loved one moves in, stop in to visit without any prior warning. Encourage your family member to maintain open communication and to talk about his or her concerns.
Other residents and family
Other residents and even family members can also perpetrate abuse. If your family member confides that another resident’s behavior includes harassment, threats or other forms of abuse, you should report those concerns to facility management right away.
If certain family members have a history of abusive behavior or your elderly loved one has expressed concern about his or her relationship with certain individuals in the family, practice caution and watch for warning signs of mistreatment. Remind your aging family member that he or she still has the right to respect, safety and compassionate treatment regardless of age or disabilities.
