Nursing home abuse is a problem that can be somewhat hard to determine. At times, the nursing home resident can't communicate their situation so the abuse can go undetected for a while. However, by paying attention to how the patient is being cared for and by visiting often, you can often avoid any problems with nursing home abuse.
Warning Signs of Nursing Home Abuse
Often by observing how the resident is treated and being aware of any doctor prescribed medications or treatments you can determine if a patient is being cared for appropriately. One of the most common signs of nursing home abuse can be "accidents" or excessive trips to a hospital for physical issues.
This can often involve broken bones, frequent illnesses, or even excessive death counts at the nursing home facility. Excessive bed sores, inadequate daily care and general disregard for everyday necessities are also bad signs.
If the resident seems to be medicated or sedated excessively, that can also be a warning sign of nursing home abuse. You usually want to be aware of what the doctor has prescribed the resident so that if there are any changes with their medications you are aware of it. This way you are not unaware of their situation and will know if they are being excessively medicated.
Changes in physical appearance such as rapid, excessive weight loss can be a sign of nursing home abuse as well. This can also indicate dehydration or malnutrition. The facility may be neglecting daily food requirements and helping the resident eat which can lead to weight loss and dehydration.
If the facility seems unclean or does not observe sanitary practices, you may need to look further into what kind of care the resident is receiving. Little inconsistencies can add up to a situation in which the patient is the victim of abuse or neglect.
If you suspect nursing home abuse, check with local agencies first to inquire about the facility's record and ask them to check into the nursing home. Keep records of observations and details you notice that seem to add up to a bigger picture of nursing home abuse.
Hopefully with intervention from the right agencies, the problems can be corrected and the residents will be protected. However, changing facilities is always an option and should be definitely considered if you confirm the nursing home abuse.
