Previously, elder abuse wasn’t spoken about. Now that the injustice has been thrust into the spotlight, more people are questioning whether their elderly parents are receiving the proper care.
According to the National Council on Aging (NCOA), elder abuse takes many forms.
Physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse or neglect and financial exploitation are just some of the variations.
Citing stats from a study, the organization says one in five older adults reported elder abuse during the pandemic.
The National Center on Elder Abuse further states few studies concentrate on the prevalence of abuse in senior living facilities. And yet, mistreatment has been documented in the news.
U.S. States with the Highest Levels of Elder Abuse
Newsweek recently published data charting the states with the highest reported incidents of abuse in nursing homes and other settings.
Using information from the National Adult Maltreatment Reporting System, the news outlet ranked Washington as the biggest offender.
The state had the highest rate of mistreated elderly home care patients, with 3,597 cases per 100,000 people.
Financial exploitation was said to be the main culprit. The state reports an average of 11,818 financial exploitation cases annually.
The problem is becoming errantly worse as financial trade groups call on lawmakers to pass legislation giving asset managers the power to intervene when they suspect their elderly client is being exploited.
Other worrying stats were prevalent in Missouri, Texas, Maine and Oregon where self-neglect cases were unusually high.
Herein lies the problem of reporting elderly abuse. Many victims are ashamed or scared to come forward. Some are ashamed or scared to speak out. According to personal injury law firm Russell & Hill, elder abuse can be difficult to recognize.
Here are signs to watch for if you suspect your elderly loved one is being abused.
Unseen Signs
Care homes are tasked with prioritizing the care and safety of the elderly. Unfortunately, because they are vulnerable members of society, the aged don’t have the strength or emotional capacity to fight back. However, it’s not fair to paint all senior living homes with the same brush.
When visiting your elderly relative, take note of the following:
- Cleanliness and general appearance of your loved one
- State of their bedding: is it soiled or dirty?
- Food trays and water
Read their body language when speaking to care staff. Are they defensive? Stand-offish? These are signs that they’re hiding something.
Also, take the time to listen to your loved one. If they complain about a certain issue, don’t take an employee’s word that everything is fine. Question staff until you get to the crux of the problem.
Physical Signs
Unexplained bruises, cuts or scars are the physical manifestations of abuse. If looking beyond the superficial, you may notice a lack of basic hygiene or an unkempt appearance.
Is your loved one losing weight? Are they missing their dentures or glasses? Is their personality erratic or subdued? Have you checked for untreated bedsores?
It’s difficult to believe that your relative might be in distress or that someone is harming them emotionally and physically. Stay vigilant and watch for signs of elder abuse.
Financial Abuse
Elderly people are usually the biggest victims of financial fraud. Reuters reports that bank fraud rose substantially from $2.4 billion in 2019 to $10 billion last year. For elderly individuals, it’s more complicated to detect fraud or theft.
In the past, financial fraud was confined to family members coaxing money from their elderly relatives or care staff helping themselves to cash. Fraudsters have become more clever, targeting unwitting elderly people in get-rich-quick schemes.
In many cases, older people fall victim to having their savings and investments fraudulently stolen from them. The report adds that a lot of these crimes go unreported because of the shame associated with being conned.
What Action Can You Take?
Elder abuse is a serious crime. Once your suspicions are confirmed, report the matter to Adult Protective Services.
Nursing home abuse victims can opt to take legal action and file a personal injury claim with the help of a nursing home abuse lawyer.
Plaintiffs are entitled to compensation such as covering medical costs, pain and suffering damages or out-of-pocket expenses the victim’s family incurred.
Any type of abuse is a sensitive topic. When approaching your loved one with your belief abuse is taking place, speak to them in a calm and non-judgmental manner.
And do so in the privacy of their room with no one else around. They may be more inclined to open up to you then.
Image Source: Unsplash