Elder Abuse Can Be Prevented
Adult family member’s homes or a Senior Living Community, people directly responsible for the care of the elderly can take advantage of them. Sometimes the demands of caregiving and the needs of our senior loved one can create an environment where abuse occurs. We avoid that as much as possible by getting to know the senior community we recommend. Caregivers in institutional settings usually receive proper training and keep working conditions positive. Nonprofessional caregivers such as relatives, friends, and spouses can become stressed so offering to give respite can help. The demands of caring for an aging senior can be too much for a non professional to handle. This can lead to mental and physical health problems. These problems could lead to a burnt out. An impatient caregiver can be more prone to neglect without the proper selfcare. Read on to learn the warning signs of elder abuse so you can prevent it from happening to your aging loved one.
Physical Signs That Elder Abuse May Be Occurring
As the elderly grow older and become more physically frail, they often become more and more incapable of protecting themselves from physical harm and standing up to bullying behavior. Unfortunately, a lack of physical and cognitive abilities makes seniors easy prey for depraved individuals. Warning signs of physical abuse of the elderly may include unexplainable bruises, wounds, or broken bones. Repeated unexplained wounds should be taken seriously, no matter the severity of the wound.
Emotional Abuse of Senior Loved Ones
If you suspect your elderly loved one is being hurt but can’t see any physical evidence, then they might be an unfortunate victim of emotional, not physical abuse. Caregivers can cause distress to the elderly by yelling or threatening, humiliation and ridicule, isolating them from friends or activities, and habitually blaming or scapegoating. Emotional abuse can be harder to detect, but there are definite warning signs. Increasingly different behavior from the senior that mimics dementia, like rocking the body or mumbling to themselves is typically a good indicator that emotional abuse could be present.
Neglect of Seniors in Caregiving Situations
Abuse doesn’t always come in the form of yelling or hitting of a senior loved one. On the other end of the spectrum, negligence is another form of elder abuse that you should know the warning signs for. If the senior is being ignored for long periods of time, you’ll certainly see the warning signs. These may include the following: weight loss caused by malnutrition and dehydration, bedsores or other untreated physical ailments, lack of proper hygiene from not being bathed regularly, soiled garments or bedding, bug infestations, and hazardous or unsanitary living conditions.
Signs of Financial Abuse of the Elderly
The elderly are also preyed upon financially in many instances. Financial trickery can come in the form of identity theft, stealing money or household items, scamming, or other types of fraud. Be aware of any significant withdrawals from the elder’s account, any sudden changes in wills or power of attorney, failing to pay bills, unnecessary purchases of services or goods, missing cash, insufficient funds, and any addition of names to the senior’s credit card or accounts.
Other Warning Signs of Elder Abuse
Unfortunately, the warning signs of elder abuse are often mistaken for dementia or the mental deterioration that may come along with aging. Be aware of increased tension or arguments between the senior and caregiver. Further, your elderly loved one might start behaving differently, becoming more withdrawn and less social. It’s important to listen to the senior and to intervene as soon as possible. Keep an eye on medication levels and the dates on prescription bottles or medication administration checklists. Check bank accounts and credit card statements for unauthorized purchases regularly. Learn these signs and then spread awareness to others who may also be responsible for checking on the senior.
What to Do When a Senior Loved One Is Being Abused
It’s important to know the warning signs of elder abuse so you can rest more easily, knowing your elderly loved one is in good hands. If you suspect elder abuse, here are a few things that you can do. First, be sure to always document the warning signs: take photos of injuries, take notes of changes in behavior, and get written statements from additional victims or other witnesses, if and when possible. If the senior is being abused in a facility, then contact your long-term care ombudsman. They are professionals who will investigate the claims and take the proper actions in response. For severe cases (or if you know the senior will be harmed again), call 911.
Resources to help Mom and Dad from Golden Placements:
Golden Placements helps you manage resources and takes care of the leg work. We offer resources for finding your best living situation so you can enjoy your best Golden Years. GPS has ideas gathered over years of experience by being Senior Life Specialists. Portland Senior Living and their various options from our Golden Girls specialists are IS NO COST. Community living and finding the right living choice for you or your loved one is important. We help you navigate the details. Here are more resources to help you learn more about our services:
- You can call us today or continue to read more about Long Term Care Planning with our friends at ACL
- Oregon Defines and Describes ADLs for us legally here: Long Term Care
- Golden Placements RESOURCES to find CARE Services
- Quality locations for you Senior Loved One with the Golden Girls
- Senior Living Near Me - Adult Home Placement
- Explore Residential Care Homes for Elderly "near me"
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