Over 500,000 older adults above the age of 60 are neglected and abused every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Mistreatment of the elderly can happen in assisted living homes and other treatment settings. For instance, according to a 2020 World Health Organization (WHO) study, 66% of nursing home staff admitted they had mistreated residents. Skilled nursing facility abuse occurs when the caretakers intentionally or unintentionally injure the residents in long-term care facilities, which can result in medical emergencies, trauma, and even death. The residents and their family members can reduce the risk of mistreatment by knowing the signs and reporting them immediately.
Types of abuse in long-term care facilities
Physical assault
This occurs when an employee in an assisted living home causes physical injury to a resident. Examples of physical assault include kicking, pushing, and hitting.
Neglect
Neglect is when a resident is left unattended for a long time, which puts them in danger of becoming dehydrated or developing sepsis, pressure, and ulcers, among other dangerous conditions.
Sexual Assault
This refers to any form of forced and unwanted sexual activity.
Financial and emotional mistreatment
The assisted living home residents are also at risk of being financially and emotionally mistreated. Although it may not leave a physical mark, it can severely affect their quality of life.
Warning signs of assisted living home mistreatment
It is essential to recognize the signs of mistreatment in assisted living homes to protect the victims and prevent the perpetrators from doing more harm. Some of the physical signs that show the residents are being treated cruelly include fractures, bedsores, bruises, cuts, malnutrition, facial injuries, head injury, infections that develop into sepsis, unexplainable STDs, and unexplained weight loss. In severe assisted living home neglect or mistreatment, the victims can lose their lives. Additionally, signs of emotional mistreatment in the residents will manifest as; unexplained changes in moods, anxiety, fear of communicating with the caregivers, refusal to see family members or friends, and withdrawal from their social support system. Signs of financial exploitation can manifest as; unexplained depletion of assets, a huge difference between the resident’s standards of living and available assets, missing personal property, unexplained financial transactions, and unexplained changes in living arrangements like being relocated or getting a new roommate.
What to do if someone has been mistreated in assisted living homes
If you or someone you know is a victim of neglect or mistreatment, you should immediately contact law enforcement officers or Adult Protective Services (APS). If the victim is in physical danger, the police or paramedics will take the victim to a safe location. However, if the victim is not in any imminent danger, then the state’s office of APS will begin investigating the complaint and assessing the danger.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if someone is a victim of mistreatment in an assisted living home, they have every right to seek justice and protection by contacting the police or adult protective services. In addition, they can contact an experienced lawyer who can represent them in court and ensure they get the justice they deserve.
