About 1 in 10 Americans over the age of 60 have experienced some form of elder abuse. An alarming study found that as many as 24 percent of nursing home residents experienced at least one physical abuse situation.
Elder abuse is a growing problem in nursing homes, but a only a few cases get reported. Here are signs of nursing home elder abuse you should note. Read on!
1. Unexplained Injuries
If you notice an elder has consistent broken bones, scratches, head injuries, or bruises, this is one of the biggest indicators of elder abuse. The person may try to do things for themselves because they are neglected and not getting the help they need. The person may also be mishandled during bed transfers causing these injuries.
A typical 100-bed nursing home reports between 100-200 patient falls each year. These are just the reported falls. There are ways nursing homes can prevent falls including training the staff, installing grab bars, and removing environmental hazards like rugs, poor lighting, and debris in walkways.
It’s important you ask questions about any bruise or injury. Ask the senior and multiple staff members to see if you get the same answer.
[Read more…] about 7 Evident Warning Signs of Nursing Home Elder Abuse and Neglect