Is Your Elderly Loved One in Jeopardy?

According to the violence prevention resources from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), elder abuse is defined as “an intentional act, or failure to act, by a caregiver or another person in a relationship involving expectations of trust that causes or creates a risk of harm to an older adult.” In general, elder abuse and neglect can be physical, emotional and/or financial. If you need help recognizing physical elder abuse, then here are some warning signs to consider:

• Weight Loss: Losing weight is dangerous for our seniors. After visiting your elderly loved ones, if you notice weight loss, then ask questions. Weight loss can be a sign of a multitude of problems at the facility and possible negligence.
• Dehydration: Maintaining a proper diet is important in a person’s twilight years. A big part of this healthy diet involves proper hydration. You should investigate immediately if you notice that an elderly individual has signs of dehydration, such as dry skin, rapid breathing, sunken eyes and other symptoms.
• Frequent Falls: If your loved one experiences frequent falls, then their healthcare provider may be negligent. For example, they may have failed to enact fall prevention in their facilities.
• Medication Issues: Purposefully administering too little or too much medication is a form of elder abuse. If you or your loved one has suspicions about the administration of his or her medicine at a nursing home facility, then it is recommended that you seek the help of qualified Modesto elder abuse attorneys.
• Refusing Alone Time: The best way to investigate elder abuse is to see the senior in person. However, if nursing home staff refuse to let you visit a senior alone, then this is cause for concern.
• Welts, Bruising and/or Bed Sores: If you see a senior with welts, bed sores, unexplained cuts, bruising or other marks, then there is a good chance that they are being neglected. It might be that the assigned caretaker is neglecting him or her and suffering injuries as a result of lack of supervision or failing to move a patient in their bed. In extreme cases, it could be that the caretaker is causing intentional harm, including physically abusing the senior as a cruel form of discipline.
• Broken Bones and/or Fractures: While elderly people are more fragile, a broken bone can still be a red flag for elder abuse. All health care professionals are expected to provide a professional level of care. If there are a multitude of fractures and broken bones amongst the nursing home population, then this could be a sign that this level of care might not be at a legal standard.