It is estimated that for every one case of elder abuse, neglect, exploitation, or self-neglect reported to authorities, about five more go unreported. In a long-term care setting, incidences of abuse occur behind closed doors and are rarely reported by the resident.
Without concrete evidence, many staff and family members struggle with their suspicions of abuse. Facilities state that reports of abuse are to be free from retaliation; unfortunately, this is not always the case, and fear of reprisal will stop both residents and staff members from reporting abuse.
There are three common forms of elder care abuse, 1. Physical, 2. Emotional, and 3. Sexual. To identify elder care abuse, it is essential to look for non-verbal signs that there may be a problem. Due to frailty in skin, residents in senior living can bruise easily and while of course abuse must be ruled out in all cases, not every bruise signifies an episode of abuse. However, there are five non-verbal signs you can use to identify elder care abuse.
- Increased Drowsiness: Whether the abuse is primarily taking place in the evening hours or your loved can’t sleep due to anxiety a sudden increase in drowsiness throughout the day may be a warning sign that something is wrong. Bring this to the attention of the medical team to rule out any changes to their medication that may be causing the drowsiness.
- Sudden Decrease in Participation: Older adults who are experiencing abuse will isolate themselves. A sudden decrease in participation is an early warning sign that they may be suffering from abuse. Declining favorite activities or disengaging in conversation are common signs particularly for individuals with Alzheimer’s or dementia.
- Sudden Weight Loss: Unexplained weight loss in seniors can be an indicator of abuse or neglect in the care of the older adult. Weight loss can have a significant impact on an older adult’s health, and it is critical to intervene at the first signs of weight loss.
- Increased Anxiety: Abuse can cause the victim a great deal of anxiety and agitation. Increased stress or signs of depression or agitation should be investigated.
- Worsening of Disease Symptoms: Particularly for individuals living with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia, worsening of symptoms can signify they are experiencing abuse. Take note if they are more confused or if they struggle over words more frequently. Also, take note if they are increasingly asking to go home, they may be searching for a safe place.
Elder Abuse is a serious problem that affects a significant number of older adults in need of care. Sudden changes to someone’s behavior or routine may be an indicator of elder abuse or neglect. Understanding how abuse effects older adults is a crucial step in identifying elder abuse. If you suspect that your loved one or other residents may be experiencing abuse you should report your suspicions to the charge nurse immediately so that they can conduct a full investigation.
