If you have a loved one residing in a nursing home, or you’re employed by a nursing home company, and especially if you’re involved with Human Resources for a nursing home, you need to be aware of the potential abuse of elderly residents. Some abuse is due to neglect, while other kinds of abuse can result from deliberate and cruel mistreatment committed by staff. This is an unpleasant subject to discuss, but it’s even worse that old folks actually experience these horrors on a regular and ongoing basis. Here are the major types of abuse to watch for.
Bed sores. This may be the most common type of abuse caused by neglect. According to CDC statistics, about 11% of nursing home residents suffer from bed sores, also known as pressure ulcers. When people are confined to bed and not moved for long periods of time, pressure on muscle tissue and bones around the hips, back, elbows, ankles, heels, and other joints can lead to infections and other kinds of injuries.
Dehydration and malnutrition. Also common with neglect is dehydration and malnutrition. When staff is overburdened or just careless, residents can easily become dehydrated, if not starved, leading to death. Signs to look for include dry skin and mouth, dark-colored urine, chills, fatigue, dizziness, swollen or bleeding gums, weight loss, and bloated abdomen. The effects of dehydration are especially acute and can become life-threatening within hours.
Sexual abuse. Shockingly, residents of nursing homes can fall victim to sexual abuse like anyone else. Because they’re often unable to communicate, due to infirmity or psychological problems, this sort of abuse can persist over time without getting reported. This kind of abuse can also be perpetrated by strangers, especially when a nursing home doesn’t provide proper security measures and oversight.
Poor hygiene. If staff are overworked or uninformed of proper health care, patients can suffer from a lack of hygiene. Uncleanliness in the living areas, bathrooms and eating areas can all lead to other health issues due to the spread of germs and bacteria. It’s easy to detect unclean areas, so be sure to actively clean areas or report any messes to clean staff.
Overmedication and wrong medication. Older folks tend to require specific medications and particular doses on a regular basis, and the failure to deliver them properly can be life-threatening. Unfortunately, many of the symptoms of improper medication can’t be detected, but in general, look for signs including disorientation, fatigue, over-sleeping, and forgetfulness.
Wrongful death. This is the ultimate result of abuse. Whether due to lack of food, proper medication or care, elderly people can die behind closed doors when the staff fails to take care of them. Sometimes a patient may fall and not get proper treatment for their injuries, leading to death at a later time.
According to Charles Brown, a board member from the Nursing Home Abuse Center, abuse can take the form of physical harm, as described above, or emotional mistreatment and financial fraud. Know the signs and report any abuse immediately.
