If one of your loved ones is in a nursing home or another facility, you may be wary about the potential for abuse or neglect. The World Health Organization warns that rates of elder abuse are high in long-term care facilities, nursing homes and other such community settings, such as assisted living centers. This is a place where your loved one should feel safe and get the care and assistance that they need, but it’s clear that that doesn’t always happen.
So, how can you work to keep them safe and prevent this from happening? There are steps you can take to lower the odds of abuse and neglect—one of which is simply consistently visiting your loved one at the facility.
Looking for warning signs
One thing to do during these visits is simply to look for any red flags. Does the elderly person become withdrawn or nervous around certain caregivers? Do you notice any concerning issues, such as a lack of hygiene or unexplained injuries?
But simply visiting can also be helpful because it demonstrates to the staff that you are involved with the elderly resident. They know that you’ll be keeping an eye on things and that you could potentially show up for a visit at any time. Some residents don’t receive any visitors, but simply live on their own in the nursing home and have little contact with the outside world. These individuals may be targeted for neglect or abuse because the perpetrators believe no one will notice what’s happening.
Unfortunately, though, you’re not going to be at the nursing home 100% of the time, so abuse and neglect are still possible. If these things happen, be sure you understand all of your legal options.
