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Abuse of Elders in Senior Living Projects

While it may be unfortunate, it is a fact of life that sooner or later we all age, and may eventually need help in caring for ourselves. There are a variety of options available for this care, but family members should be aware of the potential risks involved when entrusting their loved ones to someone else.

  1. Abuse of the Elderly

    • When an older parent or family member has Alzheimer's, dementia or other problems that prevent him from living at home, often a nursing home or assisted living facility is the only answer. While there are many qualified agencies in the U.S., there are also ongoing media reports of elderly abuse in some of these living centers. There are signs to look for to make sure your loved one is not being abused or neglected.

    Physical Signs

    • The first thing to look for in any potential abuse situation is the presence of physical signs. Check regularly to see if there are any signs such as broken bones, bruises, scratches or cuts on your family member. Any of these should bring up a red flag that the situation needs to be looked into. Pressure ulcers or bed sores are likely a sign of abuse and neglect. These sores develop when a patient sits in one spot for long periods of time without being moved, and can be very painful.

    Hygiene

    • A careful inspection of your loved one's hygiene while she is staying in a senior living facility could also indicate problems in the daily care she receives. Check to make sure she has clean clothing, underwear and bedding with no smells, clean hair and fingernails. If there are problems in any of these areas, this could be reason for concern. Look for changes in the patient's alertness and attitude. Complaints about or arguments with a caretaker can often be signs of a problem.

    What You Should Do

    • If you believe or even suspect that a loved one is being abused or neglected in any type of senior living facility, there are steps that should be taken immediately. First, speak to the facility manager or administrator about the problem. Secondly, call the police and have a written report filed. You should also contact the department that regulates elderly care facilities in your state and report the problem to them as well.

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