Elder Abuse in Care Facilities: Warning Signs You Should Never Ignore
Children are taught from a young age the adage “respect your elders.” Yet, elder abuse has become a common occurrence in modern society. About 5 million Americans become victims of elder abuse or neglect annually. The abuse ranges from physical or emotional to sexual or financial. In their fragility due to their old age, seniors can often be taken advantage of in these ways. Everyone deserves to feel safe and be treated with respect and dignity.
Children require nurture and care in order for them to thrive as they transition through adolescence to adulthood. As babies, they must learn basic functions, such as walking, as their bodies and brains develop. Without the right care from their parents or guardians, they would be unable to properly grow. Elders require the same level of care as young children do. While babies are learning how to walk, elders are learning how to function and cope with not being able to walk as well anymore. Seniors must rely on their caregivers more often in order to perform certain tasks and get through each day. Even though by doing this they surrender a portion of their independence, their safety should not be put in jeopardy.
Depending on the elder’s situation, his or her caregiver may be their own children, other family members, a hired nurse, or an employee at a long-term care facility. Most seniors have no other choice but to put their trust into their caregivers’ hands. At this point in their lives, seniors are fragile mentally and/or physically and must depend on care from others. However, they may feel that they cannot speak up for themselves if they are being neglected or abused for fear that the care they do receive will be taken away. Abuse refers to intentional harm. Neglect refers to failure to provide the level of care that an elder needs in order to remain healthy and happy; this may or may not be intentional. Both abuse and neglect put elders at risk and deprive them of the nurturing care they need.
It is important for others to recognize signs of potential abuse or neglect to ensure that elders are not used for others benefits and that they receive the care they deserve as humans. For example, victims of physical abuse or neglect may have sores, bruises, or other unexplained injuries. While these may be more common for those of old age, they should be less frequent if seniors are indeed receiving proper care. Additionally, malnourishment and improper medication or dosages are signs of neglect or abandonment. Many seniors’ health statuses are fragile and require correct nourishment to remain healthy and stable. It is the duty of caregivers to provide their patients with enough nutrients and correct medications.
Elders are also prone to be victims of sexual abuse which can be evident in STDs or marks around genital area and/or breasts for women. This may be less obvious to the public eye, but sexual abuse may also result in marks on the skin on other locations on the body if the elder is forced into something without his or her consent. Any form of neglect or abuse harms an elder emotionally. This is particularly true if he or she is humiliated, intimidated, or any other kind of verbal or physical abuse that inflicts emotional distress and threatens the person. Sometimes this abuse can even lead to mental illnesses such as depression that require further care and attention.
Unfortunately, elders’ finances and ownership are also taken advantage of by some. Offenders rationalize their actions by explaining that elders no longer need their money, property, or belongings. However, despite their condition, seniors still own what they have. Yet, they are usually less likely to notice financial discrepancies since they may be more focused on their physical and emotional wellbeing. Unexplained bank activity, duplicate care bills, and missing personal property are all signs of financial exploitation. These can be seen by analyzing bank statements or noticing missing items. Theft is a crime if the person has not been given the authority to control an elder’s finances. No matter the amount of money or possessions an elder has and whether or not he or she ‘needs’ them, someone without the authorized authority cannot make those decisions. Elders may be unaware of this abuse, so it is important that if you have a concern you talk to them or someone they appointed to make such decisions.
Depending on his or her condition, an elder may not be aware of neglect or abuse. On the other hand, they may be too ashamed or afraid to speak out and instead make excuses for these symptoms. Elders may feel uncomfortable sharing their abuse or neglect, because it exposes their vulnerability. This is not something they, or anyone, should be ashamed of. It is important for others to be able to recognize the signs and help elders receive help in their situation. It is better to ask rather than assume that everything is okay, especially if these signs or symptoms are recurrent. If you suspect that an elder may be a victim of abuse, report it to Adult Protective Services and/or speak to an assisted living abuse attorney.
Elders should not be ashamed of their fragility or have to live in fear. Instead, they should feel a sense of pride in being blessed with a long-lived life. With years behind them, they have countless stories and lessons to share. Without them and their histories, it would be impossible for people and society to learn from and appreciate the past and progress into the future. In order to put an end to elders’ abuse and neglect, others must be able to recognize potential signs and symptoms. In this way, if seniors feel that they are unable to speak up, others are able to stand up for them to help them receive nurturing and loving care that will make the last years of their life the best they can be. By ensuring elders receive proper care, they are not only receiving what they need, but also the respect that everyone deserves.
