When some places their parent into a nursing home, they decide to do so out of love and care. This compassion is what makes it so necessary to be sure that a parent is safe in the nursing home they live in.
More than 15% of elderly adults suffer some form of abuse. As the friend or family of an older person in a nursing home, how can you be sure that your loved one is safe? Here are four signs of elderly abuse in a nursing home:
Unkempt nails or teeth
Part of the nursing home staff’s responsibility is to ensure that their residents are clean and healthy. If a resident has teeth that need brushing or nails that need trimming, it can be a sign that the staff is not paying attention to smaller details of care.
Bruising
If you noticed bruises on your loved one, it could indicate physical abuse or a serious fall. Physical abuse is never acceptable in a nursing home, but neither should falling. A resident of a home should not have the opportunity to fall in their home. If moving is an issue for an elder, staff members should be there to assist them.
Bedsores
When nursing home staff members ignore residents for too long, they can develop bedsores after being stuck in bed too long. These sores can develop into severe problems, and they do not develop easily.
Unclean living conditions
The caretakers in a nursing home need to be sure that the residents’ environment is clean. Loose garbage, unclean bedsheets, and dirty eating areas show that the staff is not keeping the nursing home clean. Unclean living conditions can lead to a wide range of illnesses and injuries.
Stay vigilant for your loved one
Assuming that the nursing home your loved one is in is safe for your loved one can be a mistake. When your loved one is in a nursing home, keep an eye out for signs of abuse or neglect in your parent and their home.