How to Prevent Nursing Home Abuse

Protect your loved ones from elder abuse.

Nursing home abuse can be a real worry for someone who feels they have no choice but to place a loved one within a nursing care facility. How do you know if your loved one is getting the care they should? There are a few actions you can take to make sure your loved one stays safe.

Things You'll Need

• Vigilance
• Presence
• Relationship

Instructions

1. Be present. The best way to make sure that your love ones are safe is to visit often. It is a fact that clients who have regular visits from family and friends are less likely to be abused. Make sure your loved one has frequent contact with other people as well. People who are socially withdrawn are more likely to fall victim to elder abuse.

2. Be vigilant. Nursing home abuse can be physical, emotional or result from neglect. Ask your loved ones how they are being treated or examine them physically. Learn to recognize symptoms of neglect or abuse, such as bed sores, bruising, a sudden and unexplained withdrawal from activities and a sudden, angry temperament may all indicate abuse.

3. Establish relationships with staff. Getting to know staff will lessen the possibility of nursing home abuse. Take time to get to know the people who are caring for your sick or elderly loved one.

4. Report abuse immediately. Organizations such as Adult Protective Services should be contacted as soon as you expect possible abuse. Hiring an elder abuse Ombudsman for advice.

References

• National Center on Elder Abuse: NCEA Fact Sheet: Elder Abuse Prevalence and Incidence

Resources

• Recognizing Elder Abuse