Below is a shocking article which highlights the risks of leaving your loved one under the supervision of people not trained properly to give home care or deal with the difficulties in looking after seniors – all our home care providers are all carefully screened before being selected and are closely monitored during their home care duties.
Elder abuse is a common problem in the United States. An estimated one million incidents of elder abuse are reported to authorities each year. As startling as that number may be, estimates indicate that for every case of abuse that is reported, twelve go unreported. While there is no federal law mandating who must report suspected cases of elder abuse to the proper authorities, state regulations generally dictate that health care workers, public officials, clergy, emergency personnel, and home health workers all have a duty to report suspected cases of elder abuse.
So what constitutes elder abuse? Here is an overview of the different ways that the elderly population is being exploited in this country. While these are not the only types of abuse that our elderly population endures, they are the most common.
Physical abuse
Physical abuse is the use of force against an elderly person that results in injury. Pushing, shoving, slapping, and striking them with objects such as a hand or weapon falls into this category, but so does the improper use of medications and restraints.
Emotional abuse
Emotional abuse is when the elderly are treated in a way that causes them emotional harm or distress. This includes, but is not limited to, name calling, humiliation, and ridiculing.
Sexual abuse
Sexual abuse is sexual contact with an elderly person without their consent. Exposing them to pornographic material and forcing them to undress are also considered to be forms of sexual abuse.
Recognizing an elderly person who has been abused can be difficult because some of the symptoms may mimic other conditions which are common in old age. However, here are come common behaviors exhibited by abuse victims.
- Frequent arguments and tension between the elderly patient and their caregiver
- Behavioral and personality changes
- Sudden fear or apprehension about being left in someone else’s care
- Injuries such as bruising, scrapes, and breaks which have no explanation
- Medication bottles which have too few or too many doses left in them
- Disheveled appearance
- Poor hygiene
- Broken personal items around the home
Elder abuse takes many forms and a loved one may not exhibit any outward signs at all. However, if family members with elderly loved ones suspect for any reason that their loved one is being abused, they should not hesitate to contact the proper authorities to report their suspicions – even if they have no proof.
