It can be an honor and a privilege to be a caregiver for our aging Indiana loved ones. But not anyone can handle the responsibilities associated with doing so If you have placed a loved one at a long-term care facility, you should be aware of signs associated with neglect and abuse.
Some obvious and subtle signs
Even first-class facilities can have some accidents. However, there are no excuses for neglect. Furthermore, patients sometimes go through abuse. And the signs of abuse are not always easy to detect. Nonetheless, there are some that you should be aware of:
- Bed sores that have caused injuries
- Sudden signs of depression and changes in communication
- Inexplicable high levels of sedation
Patients who are bedridden are more susceptible to bed sores. Often, because of ailments and a compromised immunize system, a patient can have thinner skin in these conditions.
So while in bed, they cannot stay in the same position for long periods of times. If your close relative has skin damage or even necrosis, she was neglected.
You know your loved one’s heart and personality. If you have seen sudden changes in your loved one’s mood, you should be alert. Unfortunately, patients can sometimes be physically and emotionally abused by staff members.
The obvious signs of physical abuse are bruises and scratches. But the signs of emotional abuse can be more subtle. Patients who undergo emotional abuse often lose an interest in communication, for example. Your loved one may suddenly be in a constant state of sadness when she was always cheerful and extroverted. Your loved one may also show signs of distrust when touched. These are signs of abuse.
An elderly patient can be in her last days of life. She may be in a lot of pain. And she may be given sedatives as a result. But your loved one should not be under long periods of sedation without concrete explanations. This is a form of neglect.
