Elders can be vulnerable at the hands of strangers, especially with family members having little to no time to check in on them. In California, it is common for families to place elders in nursing homes, trusting that the facilities would be more equipped to care for their loved ones. Unfortunately, many seniors suffer from abuse at the hands of their nurses or co-residents
There are warning signs that your loved one might be exposed to abuse in their nursing homes and it is a good practice to be aware of them.
Abuse comes in various forms
There are different forms of abuse. Some forms might not be as apparent as others. When you visit or communicate with your loved one in their nursing home, you should watch for symptoms relating to:
- Physical abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Emotional abuse
- Neglect
- Abandonment
- Financial abuse
Common symptoms that could be a clue about the existence of abuse in the care facility are fear and anxiety, malnutrition and dehydration, and physical injuries such as bruises, lacerations or unusual marks.
Why does nursing home abuse occur?
Here are factors that may come into play in an abusive nursing home:
- Understaffing, which is common in California, especially with the growing elderly population
- Incompetence due to lack of appropriate training and certification
- Overworked staff, which leads to inattentiveness and frustration
- Co-resident abuse, which may happen in case of hierarchy amongst residents (hierarchy in the duration of stay, age, etc.)
These reasons may explain the recurring mistreatment of elders in nursing homes. However, there might be other underlying reasons that remain unexplained.
California laws protect senior citizens from neglect and abuse by nursing homes. If you find evidence of abuse against your loved one, you may seek monetary compensation for expenses including hospital stays, surgery, medical treatment, therapy and emotional distress.