Signs of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect

Besides the coronavirus pandemic, there is another silent epidemic spread globally – nursing home abuse and neglect. In the United States, 1 in 10 Americans aged 60 years and above experience abuse.

Knowing the signs of nursing home abuse and neglect can significantly raise the chances of detecting and reporting. Read on and learn more about elder abuse and neglect, the obvious and subtle signs, and what you can do about suspected incidences. It will boost the health and safety of our senior loved ones.

What is Elder Abuse and Neglect?

According to the CDC, any person aged 60 years and over qualifies as an elder. Elder abuse is a deliberate act or failure to act by a trusted caregiver that causes or creates a risk of harm to a senior adult. It could entail physical pain and injury, unreasonable confinement, intimidation, deprivation of care or service, maltreatment, or mental torture. Abuse can take physical, emotional or psychological, sexual, or financial forms.

Neglect is the failure (could be intentional or not) to meet an older person’s basic needs. Or a failure to provide essential care and services to ensure a senior person lives free from harm, anguish, or anxiety.

In the recent past, elder abuse has been on the rise in America. According to a report on webmd.com, incidences among men jumped 75%, and among women, the growth was at 35%. The following forms of abuse and neglect were rampant in nursing homes:

• Physical assault including acts like slapping, punching, pinching, shoving, shaking, beating, and or kicking.
• Verbal threats or emotional abuse.
• Unprescribed withdrawal of care for known medical problems
• Unexplained and prolonged deprivation of food or water
• Sexual abuse.
• Unreasonable physical restraint or isolation.
• Use of psychotropic medication for purposes inconsistent with what is authorized by a physician.

Most of the cases of abuse and neglect go unnoticed. Researchers suggest that although as many as 1 in 10 elders undergo some form of abuse or neglect annually, only 1 in 24 cases are reported. To enhance the chances of detection and reporting, look out for these signs of nursing home abuse and neglect. It may save a loved one.

Physical Signs of Abuse and Neglect

• Unexplained broken bones, dislocations, or sprains.
• Strange bruises, scars, or welts on the body.
• Signs of forced restraint, such as rope marks on the wrists or ankles.
• Broken eyeglasses.
• Unusual bleeding.
• Bedsores, cuts, burns, or abrasions.
• Sudden and unexplained weight loss.
• Soiling, poor hygiene, the smell of urine or feces.
• Torn, stained, or bloody clothing or bedding.
• The caregiver refuses to let you be alone with the elderly person.

The elder could be fearful or hesitant to talk about these signs even when asked by a trusted loved one. But the signs of nursing home abuse and neglect are often subtle. You do not need the skills of Sherlock Holmes to know what is going on. These subtle signs can help you unearth what is going on.

Subtle Signs of Abuse and Neglect

• The elder is abnormally confused and disoriented. He or she may be sleepy most of the time due to an overdose of medication.
• The elder experiences frequent incidences of urinary tract infections due to neglect.
• Frequent bouts of ailment and hospitalization due to withholding much-needed regular medical care for diabetics and other chronic illnesses.
• The elder undergoes a sudden and unexplained change of personality. An otherwise happy and social person could turn to withdrawal and lack interest in their favorite activities or refuse to talk due to fear of victimization.
• An elderly loved one becomes anxious, full of fear, and ashamed. They self-blame concerning things they cannot control due to ridiculing, public humiliation, threats of punishment, and bullying.
• The elder begins to mishandle and lose personal items uncharacteristically.
• The elder makes sudden and unusual inquiries into finances and financial transactions.

If you notice any of these red flags, you may be confused about what to do. You may confront the elder about the signs. But abuse and neglect in nursing homes are often accompanied by threats, intimidation, and psychological manipulation. An elder may be hesitant to talk about it, and in some cases, family members may also avoid reporting abuse.

A report by the Texas A & M Health Science Center revealed that many families were reluctant to report abuse and neglect because of the following reasons:

• Fear of being discharged if they complained.
• Ignorance about rights and how to lodge complaints in the office of the ombudsman.
• Families felt that filing a report would be futile.
• Families were afraid that their senior loved ones could be identified, and victimized.
• The elders assumed inaction due to the perception of not having a grip on reality due to dementia and other age-related mental issues.
• Fear that reports of complaints would result in the closure of facilities. The elders were reluctant to leave their friends and familiarity.

If you suspect abuse and neglect in a nursing home, do not succumb to these (or any) excuses. Nothing can justify the continued maltreatment of our elders.

What Should You Do?

First, notify the nursing home’s management about your concerns. Remember that displaying the signs of abuse and neglect does not always mean that it is taking place. Besides, cases of neglect are often due to staff burnout. The caregiver can take measures to reduce employee stress levels.

However, if the response is not satisfactory, you can escalate to a higher office. The Long Term Care Ombudsman, Social Services Department, and Adult Protective Services will take your complaint confidentially and investigate it. We suggest that you also reach out to a nursing home abuse lawyer to help you learn more about your rights and how to pursue the matter legally.

Final thoughts

To conclude, elder abuse and neglect is a crime. It persists because people are blind to what is going on or know about it, and they fail to report it. Knowing the tell-tell signs of abuse and neglect in nursing homes will improve your chances of detecting, reporting, and curbing this crime. For help managing stress and anxiety in senior citizens, read more on the Bespoke Treatment blog.