Keeping your loved one safe
One of the best ways to prevent elder abuse in a nursing home is to frequently check up on the resident, says HelpGuide.org. If they know they're being monitored, nursing home staff is more likely to treat their patients better. Family members visiting elders in nursing homes should pay attention for the following warning signs that may signal abuse:
- A resident's change in personality or behavior
- Bruising, broken bones or untreated bedsores
- Unsanitary bedding and clothing
- Arguments or tension between the caregiver and the elder
The damage a nursing home resident can receive as a result of neglect or abuse can reach much farther than physical abuse, says the National Center on Elder Abuse. Abused residents suffer from increased psychological distress, and have a 300 percent higher chance of dying than healthy residents.
It's inexcusable for nursing home residents to live in unsafe and unsanitary conditions.