Is It Possible to Prevent Elder Abuse?

Elder abuse and nursing home abuse can be devastating for families to deal with. Your loved one may be suffering at the hands of someone else – and in ways that are hard to see or notice. On top of that, your trust may be betrayed – and you may find it hard to trust medical staff or other institutional members in the future.

Fortunately, some cases of elder abuse can be prevented long before they even start. Others can be ended quickly before more damage is done.

Here’s how to do it.

The Basics of Elder Abuse

Elder abuse typically happens in nursing homes, where staff members, visitors, and other parties have the opportunity to take advantage of vulnerable people. Abuse comes in many forms; elders may be physically assaulted, sexually assaulted, emotionally harmed or manipulated, stolen from, or totally neglected. Because there are so many different forms of elder abuse and because some of those forms aren’t easily visible, it can be hard to detect when elder abuse is happening.

Preventing Elder Abuse

Your best strategies for preventing elder abuse rely on finding the right institutions and caregivers for your elder’s care.

Your due diligence should include looking at:

• Facility quality and equipment. Take a tour of the facility before leaving your loved one there. Is there ample equipment? Are there plenty of beds and is there plenty of space? Does everything seem clean and high quality?
• Facility reviews. Sometimes it’s hard to tell how good a facility is just by judging it on the surface. What have other people said about this facility? Thoroughly read online reviews left by others; do they paint a good portrait or are there any red flags that make you suspicious of their quality of care?
• Hiring practices and background checks. How does this facility hire caregivers? Do they have strict requirements and do they conduct background checks? Or is it possible for criminals and inexperienced people to slip through the cracks?
• Community resources and accessibility. What other community resources are available and how accessible are they? Could your loved one get support if they ever needed it?
• Social support and activity. How much social support is available? Are there regular activities that bring elders together?
• Caregiver demeanor. Talk to the caregivers at the facility you’re considering. How open are they? Do they seem happy? Do they seem to care about their job? How do they interact with the other patients there? Demeanor doesn’t tell you everything, but it could make you more comfortable – or raise your concerns.
• Transparency. How easy is it to get answers to your questions? Does this place seem open and honest when it comes to providing information? Or are you frequently blocked from investigating further?

Additionally, you can:

• Visit and/or call regularly. Become a presence in the nursing home or care facility by visiting and calling regularly. It can help you keep an eye on things and make your loved one less vulnerable.
• Keep elders active. Keep your loved ones as active and engaged as possible. It will keep them healthy, aware, and less dependent on caregivers.
• Pay close attention. Pay close attention to your loved one’s living conditions, personality, and physical condition.

Recognizing the Signs of Elder Abuse

Elder abuse can happen even in otherwise “perfect” situations – and it’s almost impossible to prevent with 100 percent certainty. If you can’t totally prevent elder abuse, the next best option is to stop it as quickly as possible.

That starts with recognizing the signs of elder abuse, which may include:

• Bedsores. Bedsores only develop when someone is bedridden or immobile for a substantial length of time; they’re a sign that a person has been neglected.
• Physical marks or blood. Look for physical marks, blood, and other signs of physical abuse. These may not be immediately visible.
• Dehydration and malnutrition. Any level of dehydration or malnutrition is a potential sign of neglect.
• Fear or confusion. Consider how your loved one acts when you visit. Do they demonstrate any lingering fear or confusion? It could be a byproduct of a mental health issue – or a sign of neglect or abuse.
• Personality changes. Be on the lookout for personality changes as well. Is your formerly outgoing loved one suddenly shy and reserved? Do they avoid hobbies they used to love? It could be a sign of abuse.

If you suspect elder abuse in any form, it’s important to talk to a lawyer as soon as possible. A lawyer will help you gather evidence, coordinate with authorities, and take legal action necessary to end the abuse and win compensation for your damages. It’s a small consolation for the deep, lasting trauma of elder abuse – but it can keep others safe in the future.

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