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Ideally, your parent, grandparent or spouse will receive quality care while living in a California nursing home. However, it is not uncommon for the residents of such a facility to experience physical, emotional and other types of abuse. You may want to take a closer look at some of the signs that your loved one has been mistreated.
YOU SEE BRUISES ON THEIR SKIN
Bruises on a person’s skin may indicate that they have been struck, grabbed or improperly restrained. Individuals who have been physically abused may also have cuts, scrapes or open sores on their bodies. In some cases, staff may try to hide the presence of an injury by forcing a victim to wear a hat, sunglasses or clothing that hides evidence of elder abuse.
DOES YOUR LOVED ONE SEEM SAD OR WITHDRAWN?
Those who are isolated, verbally denigrated or improperly medicated may become depressed. Signs of depression include a lack of interest in activities that an individual used to enjoy, a loss of appetite and an unwillingness to socialize with family or friends.
ELDERLY PEOPLE ARE EASY TARGETS FOR SCAMMERS
Nursing home staff may use your loved one’s identity to obtain credit cards, personal loans or other financial resources. Staff members may also steal government benefit checks and use the proceeds for their own purposes. A resident could even be tricked into appointing a caregiver to be his or her financial agent.
If you believe that your family member has been a victim of elder abuse, it may be possible to hold an abuser accountable for his or her actions. An attorney may use statements made by the victim, bank records or other evidence to show that a caregiver has acted in a reckless manner.