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Too often, elderly residents are neglected or abused by the very people who are supposed to be caring for them. This can take many forms, and it’s important to be aware of this issue so that you protect your loved ones who reside in California nursing homes.
How Elder Abuse Occurs
Elder abuse refers to any kind of physical, psychological, financial or sexual mistreatment or neglect of an elderly person. It can be inflicted by nursing home staff, caretakers or even family members. One of the main forms of nursing home neglect is inadequate care. This can include failure to provide adequate nutrition or medical care or allowing an elderly person to remain in an unclean environment for too long.
Another form of nursing home neglect is physical abuse, which can range from slapping and shoving to more severe forms like hitting or even sexual assault. Last but not least, nursing home neglect can also take the form of financial exploitation. This involves taking advantage of an elderly person’s trust to steal or mismanage their money.
Signs of Nursing Home Abuse
Some of the most common signs include changes in behavior, such as increased agitation or depression, sudden weight loss, bruises or other physical injuries and extreme fatigue or confusion. It is also important to look out for signs of financial exploitation, such as unexplained withdrawals from bank accounts or changes in wills and other legal documents. When you suspect nursing home abuse, it’s important to act quickly and contact the authorities.
The best way to prevent nursing home abuse is to stay informed and vigilant. It’s important to do research on nursing homes before choosing one and ask questions about staff training, resident rights, supervision policies and how complaints get handled. It’s also important to visit nursing homes regularly and check in with your loved one frequently.