Having your loved one cared for and protected may be the best thing for their health, which is why they’re in long-term nursing care. However, you may not just want to know their health is maintained but that they are treated like they’re still human – which doesn’t always happen.
Nursing aides may take advantage of their position and put your loved one in uncomfortable positions. It isn’t always clear when a loved one is the victim of nursing home abuse, but there are signs you can watch for, including:
Physical warnings
You may notice signs that show if a loved one isn’t getting the proper care they need. You may notice:
- Bruises, sores or blisters
- Cuts and tears
- Dehydration, malnutrition, fatigue or extreme weight loss
- Illness or infections
- Broken bones, wrappings and bandages
- Unclean clothes
- Moldy food and trash in their room
- Stolen jewelry or property
Physical warnings aren’t always immediate. They may even be easily explainable – a nurse’s aide may explain a bruise away by saying your loved one is just clumsy or had a small tumble. If you find evidence that contradicts what you’re being told, then your loved one could be being abused behind closed doors.
Mental warnings
You may notice sudden shifts in your loved one’s temperament since their time in a nursing home. They may suddenly become:
- Anxious
- Scared
- Depressed
- Violent
- Avoidant
- Distant
It may be hard for your loved one to adjust to their new life, but that doesn’t necessarily mean dramatic shifts in their mood isn’t from nursing home abuse. Your loved one may begin showing signs of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) because of the abuse done to them.
If you believe a loved one is a victim of nursing home abuse then you may need to know your options to make their situation right again.
