One of the biggest fears of families with a loved one residing in a nursing home is abuse and neglect – and rightfully so. ABC News reports that elderly abuse takes place at 1 in 3 nursing homes. This is where you come in. By visiting your loved one regularly and knowing what warning signs to watch out for, you have a better chance of catching the abuse and neglect the first time it happens.
There are many types of abuse that can take place: physical, verbal, sexual, financial, and neglect. Below you’ll find an explanation of each abuse and warning signs that it may be happening to your loved one.
Warning Signs of Physical Abuse:
Physical abuse is the easiest type of abuse to spot, because it involves physical force that often results in bodily injury, physical pain or impairment. Physical abuse can involve hitting, beating, striking (with or without an object), punching, pushing, shoving, shaking, slapping, kicking, pinching, burning, biting, and more. Also, inappropriate use of drugs or physical restraints, force-feeding and physical punishment of any kind constitutes physical abuse. All of this may result in the following signs and symptoms:
-Bruises, black eyes, welts, lacerations, and rope marks
-Broken bones and fractures
-Open wounds, cuts, punctures, untreated injuries in various stages of healing
-Sprains, dislocations, and internal injuries/bleeding
-Loved one reports being hit, slapped, kicked or mistreated
-Love one suddenly changes behavior, starts crying randomly, or refuses to speak
-Caregiver’s refusal to allow visitors to see a loved one alone
-Broken eyeglasses, winter clothes when they’re out of season (attempts to cover bruises), signs of being restrained
Warning Signs of Verbal Abuse:
Verbal abuse can be a bit tougher to spot than physical abuse, because there are no visible signs. Also, you may find that a loved one hides this type of abuse for fear that daily needs won’t be met as retaliation if the abuse is exposed. Signs of verbal abuse include:
-Patient withdrawal from socialization
-Low self-esteem or self-degradation
-Mood swings
-Avoiding eye contact
-Hesitant to speak
-Evident fear or hopelessness
-Increased aggression or anger
-Changes in sleep patterns
-Changes in eating times, habits, or appetite
Warning Signs of Sexual Abuse:
This is defined as non-consensual sexual contact of any kind with an elderly person. Sexual contact with a person incapable of giving consent is also considered sexual abuse. This includes, but is not limited to, unwanted touching, all types of sexual assault or battery, such as rape, sodomy, coerced nudity, and sexually explicit photographing. Signs and symptoms may include:
-Bruises around the breasts or genital area
-Unexplained vaginal or anal bleeding
-Unexplained venereal disease or genital infections
-Torn, stained or bloody undergarments
-Loved one reports being sexually assaulted or rape
-Change in mood, depression, unexplained crying, desire to be alone, fear of a particular caregiver
Warning Signs of Financial Abuse:
This is the illegal or improper use of an elderly person’s funds or assets. Examples include, but are not limited to, cashing an elderly person’s checks without authorization or permission, forging a signature, misusing or stealing money or credit cards, coercing or deceiving an elderly person to sign any document (i.e. contracts or will), and the improper use of guardianship or power or attorney. Signs and symptoms may include:
-Sudden changes in bank account, including unexplained withdrawals, change in banks, and additional names added to an account
-Unauthorized withdrawals of any amount using the elderly person’s ATM card
-Abrupt changes in will or financial documents
-Unexplained disappearance of funds or valuable possessions
-Unpaid bills despite adequate financial resources
-Elderly signatures forged for financial transactions or for the title of possessions
-Sudden appearance of previously uninvolved relatives claiming rights to an elder’s affairs or possessions
-Unexplained transfer of funds or assets
-Charges for services that are not needed
-Elderly person reports financial exploitation
Warning Signs of Neglect:
Neglect is defined as the refusal or failure to fulfill any part of a person’s obligations or duties to an elderly person. This includes fulfilling life necessities such as food, water, clothing, shelter, personal hygiene, medicine, comfort, personal safety, and other essentials. Warning signs include:
-Dehydration, malnutrition, loss in weight, poor personal hygiene (i.e. showering, shaving, etc…)
-Bed sores
-Unattended or untreated health problems
-Hazardous or unsafe living conditions
-Unsanitary or unclean living conditions (i.e. dirt, fleas, bed bugs, lice, soiled bedding, fecal/urine smell, inadequate clothing)
-Wandering
-Staff inattention and failure to respond to requests
-Elder reports being mistreated
-Failure to provide adequate cooling in the facility, particularly during the summer in Arizona
If you have noticed any of the above warning signs in your loved one, take action immediately. If the situation is serious, threatening or dangerous, call 911 or the local police for immediate help. To report suspected elder abuse or neglect in a nursing home or long-term care facility in Arizona, call Adult Protective Services (APS) at 1-877-767-2385. This is very important because the governmental entity that licenses these care facilities has the ability to censure them and even take away their license to be able to provide care.
By filing a complaint, it’s critical in helping to stop the abuse and neglect, not only for your loved one, but for all residents at the facility. When a complaint has been made to APS, they have a duty to investigate it. They will then make findings and possibly substantiate your claims which would include corrective measures the home must take if they want to keep their license. It is truly a step in trying to change the system for the better.
You can also seek help from the following state government agencies:
Arizona Adult Protective Services
Arizona Division of Aging and Adult Services
Arizona Long Term Care Obudsman
Arizona Office of Attorney General
Arizona Office of Long Term Care Licensing (Nursing Homes)