Did you know that there are more than 15,000 nursing homes operating in the United States of America? A nursing home is supposed to be a secure and happy environment where your elderly loved ones can feel a sense of community and belonging. It’s a place where friendships are formed and days of fun are had.

The reality is that abuse in nursing homes happens, and it’s important that you know the signs of nursing home abuse so that you can make a difference in the lives of these people. The good news is that you’re putting yourself in a position to spot elderly abuse when you visit your loved one at the nursing home.

Keep reading to learn more about the signs of nursing home abuse!

Physical Abuse

Arguably the most noticeable type of abuse in nursing homes is physical abuse. If your loved one has unexplained broken bones, injuries, scars, or bruising on their body, then it could be a major sign that they’re victims of elderly abuse. The same goes for things like broken glasses and other possessions.

If they request that you not leave them alone with the caregiver then it is a clear sign that they’ve suffered from abuse in nursing homes. At this point, it’s a great idea to hire an elderly abuse lawyer and find out more about what you can do.

Emotional Abuse

It’s also important to look for signs of emotional and psychological abuse in nursing homes. The most common way that people discover that their loved one is experiencing emotional abuse is to witness belittling or threatening behavior from nursing home staff or caregivers.

You also need to look for signs like dementia-like symptoms and mumbling behaviors. If your loved one is displaying these changes in behavior then it is worth diving into so that you can protect the person who you love. No one deserves to become a victim of elderly abuse, especially not in a nursing home.

Sexual Abuse

You should also look for signs of sexual abuse in nursing homes. If your loved one has unexplained STDs and bruising near the genitals or breasts then it is likely that you’re seeing signs of sexual abuse in the nursing home. Any of these signs should get reported immediately for the well-being of your loved one.

Stained or bloody underwear should also be a big sign that your loved one is getting abused. Don’t wait to dive into these signs and look out for the health of your loved one in the nursing home.

Now You’re Prepared to Find Signs of Abuse in Nursing Homes

It’s scary to entrust the care of someone that you love to the professionals in a nursing home, especially knowing that elderly abuse happens in these places. That said, the best thing to do is learn about the signs of abuse in nursing homes. Look for bruises and changes in behavior to find out if the caregivers are abusing your loved one, and hire an elderly abuse lawyer.

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