Most of the time in our families we have senior members such as our grandparents who have gotten old and maybe having certain health conditions such as dementia that may force us to put them in homes where they can be cared for as opposed to staying at home and harming themselves unintentionally. These are some of the reasons that we keep in mind when we consider moving them to these homes where they will be given the necessary care that they need. However, in recent times, there have emerged stories of different types of abuse that occur within these homes.
This article will help to identify some of the types of abuse that have been said to be on the rise. It is also important to note that a nursing home abuse lawyer can be hired in such cases to sue the institution for malpractice on their part.
Types Of Abuse
-
Sexual Abuse
This is rampant especially when you go for check-ups and the doctor says that your loved one has suddenly developed a sexually transmitted infection. This can only be explained by the hospital as most of the time the elderly people are too vulnerable to speak out for themselves. This can also be supported by bruised private parts that may be bleeding. The possibility that they may have been raped could be really high.
-
Physical Abuse
Injuries such as broken bones and cut up wrists that require emergency treatment may be a cause to worry that your loved one is being assaulted by the caregivers. This is because most of them are not strong enough to defend themselves from this abuse. Some caregivers tend to say that they have to be rough on the elderly people because they refuse to cooperate when they should be given medication, however, this is not a reason to assault or beat anyone.
It is important to note that the caregivers may refuse to allow you to be with the elderly person alone and this could be because they are preventing the exchange of information between you and your loved one.
-
Emotional Abuse
The caregiver tends to always shout at the patients and order them around. This behavior is demeaning and could send an elderly person to frequent agitation and irritation which could accelerate to depression. They then tend to be withdrawn and avoid constant communication with others. They may even prefer to be isolated which could culminate into severe loneliness in a place where they are not surrounded by family.
Other types of abuse also include neglect where there is sudden weight loss and the elderly person’s hygiene has also deteriorated or they are not being given medication.
In conclusion, it is important to be on the lookout for the elderly that we have put in homes so as to see whether there are red flags that could indicate that they are going through a series of abuse. This is essential as you can now bring a claim and pursue justice for the elderly in the society that is going through these crimes.