Nursing home abuse is a serious problem at senior care facilities in Kentucky. Elder abuse ranges from failure to properly care for residents to outright hitting or sexually assaulting them. It is concerning to think that your elderly parent may not be receiving the care he or she deserves, but how do you know if abuse is happening?
The signs of nursing home abuse are wide-ranging. Aside from obvious physical signs such as broken bones, bedsores or broken eyeglasses, here are some warning signs that your parent may be experiencing abuse in a long-term care facility:
1. Emotional shifts
Is your parent showing any of these signs?
- Agitation
- Isolation
- Sudden mood changes
According to HelpGuide.org, these are red flags your elderly parent may be experiencing psychological abuse. These behaviors may be a clue that nursing home staff is intimidating, humiliating, threatening or ignoring your parent.
2. Malnourishment
One of the most common signs of an abusive nursing home is dehydration. If a senior care home does not have an adequate amount of staff members, residents like your mother or father may not receive the fluids he or she needs to stay hydrated. Meals may be missed, too. This is especially troublesome if your parent requires assistance with eating because of a medical condition.
3. High staff turnover
When you visit your parent, do you notice there are constantly new employees? While some turnover is normal at nursing homes, there comes a point where it is concerning. If there are new staff members constantly being trained to the point no one knows your parent or recognizes you, this may be a sign your parent is not getting the quality care he or she needs.
You may never want to think your loved one could be experiencing neglect or abuse, but it is something to watch out for. Read about more signs of bad care at nursing homes and how an attorney can help in this situation.