When placing a loved one in a nursing home, you expect them to receive the best care possible. Along with having their physical needs addressed, nursing home patients must also receive mental and emotional support to ensure a good quality of life.
Unfortunately, nursing home abuse is a big problem experienced by numerous families. It is your duty to protect your loved one, so here are some signs to look for if you expect abuse or neglect.
Physical effects
Physical abuse often leaves obvious bruises, cuts, and other injuries on a person. These injuries may occur frequently and without explanation. Neglect can also cause major physical effects on the elderly in the form of bedsores. Seniors who are bedridden or confined to a wheelchair require daily assistance to maintain good health. Bedsores occur repeatedly when residents do not receive the appropriate level of care for their condition.
Mental health effects
Abuse can also take a real toll on a person’s mental health and wellness. A person may appear withdrawn and lack interest in things they cared deeply about. They may stop speaking or no longer wish to see friends and family for visits. Abuse can also cause sleep disturbances, which can lead to further health effects if left unaddressed. Regardless of cause, all senior mental health issues must receive immediate assessment to ensure the person receives the right assistance.
Financial challenges
Seniors living in nursing homes generally have fixed incomes and living expenses, which means their finances do not change much from month to month. If your loved one suddenly experiences financial issues in the form of missed payments or overdrawn bank accounts, you should take a closer look into the situation.
Many people befriend the elderly with the goal of tricking or coercing them into providing access to their finances. This is especially true of seniors experiencing cognitive decline, as fraudsters wish to take advantage of their disoriented state.
