Nursing Homes: Recognizing Elder Abuse
There are nearly 6 million reports of elder abuse in the United States each year. This number indicates that approximately 10% of the elderly population in the United States is reported as a victim of emotional, physical, or financial abuse. The unfortunate truth is these statistics represent only a fraction of the number of actual cases of elder abuse. It is a known fact that the majority of elder abuse goes unreported by victims. It is important to know the signs of abuse if you have a loved one in a nursing home.
The following are a few symptoms of abuse in nursing homes:
- style=”font-weight: 400;”>Emotional distress
- style=”font-weight: 400;”>Apprehensive of nursing home staff
- style=”font-weight: 400;”>Nightmares or other sleep issues
- style=”font-weight: 400;”>Lack of access to necessities
- style=”font-weight: 400;”>Soiled Garments
- style=”font-weight: 400;”>Matted hair
- style=”font-weight: 400;”>Unclean hands and/or fingernails
- style=”font-weight: 400;”>Bed sore and skin rashes
- style=”font-weight: 400;”>Personal hygiene issues
- style=”font-weight: 400;”>Unexpected or sudden weight loss
- style=”font-weight: 400;”>Suspected victim appears withdrawn or detached
Abuse occurring in nursing homes is a significant problem that affects more people than you may realize. If you think that someone you love might be suffering from abuse while in a skilled nursing or long-term care facility, report your suspicions to Adult Protective Services and your local law enforcement. It is also in the best interest of the suspected victim to contact an elder abuse attorney.
