Older adults often require extensive assistance and medical care due to a decrease in cognitive function, physical capabilities, and immunity to disease. Many health conditions are more severe and prevalent later in life, requiring care from a senior health community or home caretaker. Unfortunately, seniors are often vulnerable to these care facilities or caretakers and can experience physical abuse or neglect. Neglect is typically defined as when an older adult fails to receive adequate medical care or assistance, resulting in injury, health problems, emotional distress, or dangerous conditions. Neglect isn’t always extreme starvation; it can be more subtle, and it’s imperative to learn all of the signs and symptoms of common neglect cases to protect yourself or your senior loved one from harm.
Missed Medication Doses
Regardless of the care a senior receives, they typically require regular medications. Doses are often provided for the patient to ensure medication is taken correctly and regularly. When an older adult does not receive their medication promptly, it can result in withdrawal symptoms and dangerous health conditions. You can track medication doses by counting pill quantities, asking your loved one or the care provider, or checking camera footage. Missed medications may even prove fatal, depending on the condition.
Bedsores
Bedsores, also known as pressure sores, can result when someone stays in bed in the same position for an extended period. The bed pressures a particular body part, causing an open sore. These open sores are vulnerable to outside dirt and bacteria, which can lead to deadly conditions like sepsis and gangrene. When bedsores are further ignored, blood loss to the area can also damage and kill the tissue. If there are frequent bedsores on your loved one, it could indicate there is inadequate hygiene care or supervision.
Frequent Fall Injuries
Older adults with mobility problems are particularly susceptible to falls. Even with exceptional care, a fall can happen accidentally. However, frequent falls should not occur and could indicate inadequate supervision. If an older adult leaves the bed at night and falls, more adequate security is needed to prevent this. If the senior in question falls due to no inaccessible mobility aids or staff members, this is also a sign of neglect.
Wandering
Older adults may have a decrease in cognitive function, especially when diagnosed with memory conditions like Alzheimer’s or dementia. During memory lapses, senior citizens may be vulnerable to leaving their bedrooms or safe areas and traveling without knowing it. They can get into a car and drive anywhere, leaving them stranded and exposed to the elements. They may wander outside and fall. Wandering is particularly dangerous but can be prevented with adequate staff and security. Wandering can be harmless when adequately supervised and cared for, but if wandering results in harm, there is a good chance your loved one is being improperly observed.
Significant Weight Loss
Older adults may lose their appetite due to medical conditions or medications. Caretakers should be aware of this and ensure seniors receive proper nutrition. If seniors miss meal times or are not fed, they can drop weight, resulting in weakness, malnutrition, and even fatal conditions. Some medications may cause weight to fluctuate, so not all weight loss is a sign of neglect, but health and weight should be appropriately monitored at all times.
Vocal Complaints
One of the best indicators of neglect or harm is the presence of vocal complaints. You may want to listen if your loved one often complains of being hungry, neglected, or harmed. Conditions like Alzheimer’s and dementia may result in hallucinations or unreliable information, but you should always take complaints seriously as a precaution. Ask your loved one if they have been given medication, food, or supervision. Ask if they’ve been bathed and cared for. Inspect them for bedsores or other injuries.
Neglect or Abuse Prevalence
If there are signs of your older loved one being neglected or abused, there may be more cases in the community or abuser’s past or present. If the suspected neglect is happening in a senior care community, check past reviews and ask other residents for their honest opinions of the community. Check the local news or past public police reports to see if previous reports of abuse or violations exist. Many facilities are responsible for community-wide neglect; communities like Fiesta Park Wellness and Rehabilitation faced abuse and neglect violations on multiple occasions. If it is only one individual or caretaker being suspected of abuse, you may want to consider a background check or researching previous violations of abuse or neglect.
Poor Personal Hygiene
Many older adults require caretakers to clean and bathe them properly. When cognitive function is deficient, it can be easy for seniors to spill things or have accidents. However, they should always be bathed, cleaned, and cared for, especially when these incidents occur. If your loved one is consistently unbathed, wearing dirty clothes, or smelling, this may indicate inadequate care.
Inadequate Living Conditions
Older adults require safe and healthy living conditions just like anyone else. Their living spaces should be clean, have clean air, and be comfortable. Rooms with broken air conditioning, inadequate heating, excess trash, or airborne toxins are unacceptable living environments and prominent signs of neglect. If these sanitary and comfort problems are not addressed immediately, it may be time to relocate your loved one.
Conclusion
A severe violation of rights may occur if you or your senior loved one has experienced one or many of these signs and symptoms. Gather evidence and information and contact an attorney when you suspect neglect or foul play. Neglect can be life-threatening, so staying on top of it is crucial before the worst can happen. You should still contact an attorney to pursue justice if the worst has already occurred.
