Your family has recently decided to place your elderly relative in a nursing home. This wasn’t easy, but it was definitely in their best interests. Nursing home facilities can provide around-the-clock care which can be adapted to the needs of your relatives.
Unfortunately, nursing homes don’t always live up to your expectations. Nursing home abuse does occur, and it can be difficult to identify.
Another harsh reality is that older adults are more trusting, which makes them susceptible to abuse. Here’s what the research shows.
Being taken advantage of
Being trusting might sound like a good thing initially. However, once you add the prospect of people seeking to take advantage, then it becomes a detriment. Studies on facial expressions conducted at UCLA found that elderly individuals tended not to pick up on the most obvious signs of untrustworthiness. They were much more likely to apply positive attributes to faces that were purposely intended to arouse feelings of untrustworthiness.
What does this mean?
In practical terms, this means that your elderly relative may not recognize the potential signs of someone looking to defraud them or cause them harm before it is too late. Thankfully, you can play your role in protecting them. On your visits, be sure to take note of any changes, such as weight loss, bruising, or changes in the demeanor of your family member. You are also within your rights to raise any concerns with management.
If you have a strong suspicion that elder abuse has occurred, then there are legal options open to you. Seek some guidance to find out more.
