Several weeks ago, a dear family friend of mine suffered a devastating stroke. For a few days, his family members didn’t know if he would survive this event. Thankfully, he did. Now, he is undergoing the slow recovery process in a nursing home. Since his stroke, his family has been amazing. They visit him daily at the nursing facility. They have even decorated his room in an effort to make him feel like he is at home. If your loved one has recently been admitted to a nursing home, don’t despair. You may be able to help your loved one adjust to this living situation better by being supportive. On this blog, you will discover the ways to make your loved one’s transition to a nursing home easier.
A Home Away from Home
How Well Is Your Loved One Being Cared For? 4 Signs Of Nursing Home Abuse You Should Watch Out For
Johnny Rodriguez
The definition of abuse in nursing homes is extremely broad and all-encompassing. Instances of violence between residents, neglect, emotional abuse, physical abuse and sexual abuse are all considered forms of nursing home abuse. Under this definition, a case where a resident trips another would fall under abuse and have to be reported. It is estimated that abuse occurs in approximately 30 percent of nursing homes. Of all reported cases, only one-fifth of them caused harm to residents or placed them in jeopardy. Although rare, it's the latter that you have to worry about. Following are four signs of nursing home abuse you should watch out for.
Change in Behavior
In order to spot abuse, you have to visit your loved one regularly. If you notice any changes in behavior or if they seem agitated, withdrawn or emotional, you might want to talk to someone on staff and see if you can find the cause. Other signs to watch out for include biting, rocking and other self-soothing activities. You should also pay attention to your loved one's interactions with the staff. If your loved one gets quiet or acts strange when a certain staff member is around, there could be a reason why.
Abrupt Physical Decline
While your loved one will get ill from time to time, sudden, dramatic changes are cause for alarm. If your loved one is dehydrated, malnourished, has bed sores or has otherwise declined rapidly, you might want to have them evaluated by a doctor. In many cases, there is a medical cause for the decline, but it's better to be safe than sorry.
Unexplained Injuries
If you notice cuts, scrapes or bruises on your loved one, you need to take note of them. While your loved one might bump into something now and then, they shouldn't have numerous, unexplained injuries. If you notice that the injuries are in various stages of healing, you should be especially concerned.
Dirty or Cluttered Room
An unsanitary room may be evidence of neglect and a room in disarray may be a sign that someone has rifled through your loved one's belongings. Scams and theft involving nursing home residents are considered forms of abuse. Therefore, it's important that you watch out for subtle signs of abuse as well as obvious ones.
The majority of nursing homes provide a loving and healthy environment for their residents. However, there are a few people who may try to take advantage of your loved one or abuse them. In many cases, abuse is perpetuated by one staff member and no one else knows it is occurring. For this reason, you should always take your concerns to the administration. If you're looking for a reputable senior living facility in your area, visit Crimson Ridge Meadows.
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