According to WHO statistics, we are living longer. That means we have lots of people going past 70 years and many of them living past their nineties and this is expected to rise even higher.
In the past, people lived shorter lifespans. But today, with advanced medical care for seniors, a focus on healthy living, and modern technology, many people are living to their eighties and beyond.
Taking a loved one to a nursing home
When our parents and relatives get to their eighties, most of them will move from their homes to live closer to their kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids. Well, it used to be the case in the years gone by, but not anymore. Unfortunately, due to the financial demands on families and changing family dynamics, more and more seniors are moving to nursing homes.
According to statistics, over 3 million adults live in homes for the elderly and other facilities set up to care for the aged in the US. And based on the fact that people are living longer, that number is likely to rise in the future. It means that you or someone you know will eventually check in their aged relatives or parent into a nursing home.
Fact! Nobody or at the very least most people are averse to taking their loved ones to a home for the aged. But life happens. And with the rising cost of living, a nursing home becomes a reasonable option. Also, many senior people have various medical needs that would be better handled in a care facility where they get round the clock surveillance.
Elderly abuse in nursing homes
When people book their loved ones into a nursing home, they only want good things for them. Therefore, few consider or think that their loved ones will be victims of abuse in a care facility. But it happens, often. The abuse of elderly people in nursing homes is becoming more and more frequent these days.
Therefore, if you have a loved one living in a nursing home, it is a good idea to keep a sharp eye on them. The thing that makes old people susceptible to abuse in nursing homes is that they are assumed to be one of the safest places they can stay.
Sad to say, abusive people are now finding their way into homes for the elderly as workers or medical personnel might be regularly abusing old people. It is said that one in every six old people in nursing homes is a victim of neglect or abuse every year. And over three-quarters of elder abuse cases are done by a caregiver.
That makes the abuse of the elderly in care facilities almost an epidemic in the US. The sad thing is that most of this abuse goes undetected as the old people being abused are threatened to silence, or they are too ashamed or incapacitated to speak out for themselves.
How to detect if your loved one is being harmed in a nursing home
When most people hear that abuse of seniors is a reality, they often wonder - is my loved one being abused? If they are, how can I tell? Well, if you are observant, there are a few things that will indicate your elderly relative or loved one is being abused in a nursing home.
The presence of unusual injuries such as fractures or bruises in hidden areas that are covered by their garments
Cases of emotional problems characterized by unexplained silences, withdrawing into themselves, or unexplained emotional outbursts
Signs of neglect such as bedsores, frequent unexplained infections, especially STDs, uncleanliness, or cases of your relative running away from the facility.
Signs of fear in your loved one when speaking to or in the presence of particular caregivers, especially if these caregivers seem to hover and control your loved one.
Incidents of your loved one refusing food or medication and even refusing to leave their room.
Of course, the occurrence of these signs may not always signify abuse, But if you notice such things, you should take it as a sign that you need to investigate how your loved one is being treated in the nursing home.
How to deal with elder abuse
You can investigate the handling of your loved one in a nursing home by setting up a hidden camera in his or her room to capture any incidents of abuse. You could also talk to your loved one and find a way to make him or her open up to you.
Also, make frequent, unannounced visits to the home to check on your relative. You are likely to walk in on things happening to your relative or another resident that are abusive. For example, you could walk in on a caregiver mistreating a resident, or speaking to them harshly, or disrespectfully.
If you find out your loved one is being abused in a nursing home, your first action should be to contact a nursing home neglect lawyer. He or she will advise you on the right way to handle your complaint so that your loved one gets justice due to them.
A nursing home abuse lawyer will handle things such as;
Setting up an investigation to ascertain your claims of abuse
Find experts to carry out the necessary tests on your loved one as proof of abuse for the courts
File a case of abuse against the nursing home on your behalf
Work on the case diligently to get a win and compensation for you and your aged relative
Do you need a nursing home abuse lawyer?
There are other things that a qualified lawyer can do to help you get justice for a loved one being abused in a care facility. Although you may feel like handling the issue on your own, it is better to use a professional as it gives you the best chance of getting a positive outcome.
So, if your relative is a victim of nursing home abuse, contact a nursing home neglect lawyer today and get the ball rolling towards justice for you and your loved one.