As the population ages, more people are living with chronic conditions and disabilities that can make it difficult for them to manage their affairs. While many people are aware of the signs of elder abuse, not everyone knows how to spot it.
Knowing when someone you care about is abused or neglected by family members can be challenging. This is because the elderly are often in their own homes and may be unable to leave if they need help.
It is also difficult to spot elder neglect in the same way you would spot child neglect. However, when you witness this happening, you should talk to a nursing home abuse lawyer from Baltimore for them to take action. Here are some signs that can indicate that an elderly person is being neglected by someone else:
1. Has a Scattered House
Elderly people often have messy homes, and that’s not always a sign of poor hygiene. But if you find dirty dishes in the sink or trash in the yard, that could be a red flag. You also should check out the décor in your elder relative’s home. If it looks like they haven’t been keeping up with housework or other responsibilities, those things may be missed by the person who lives there.
2. They Seem Depressed or Withdrawn
If you notice a change in behavior — like depression — and your loved one cannot take care of themselves, it could indicate elder neglect. And if they’re withdrawn and not engaging with you, it might be because they’ve given up on life and don’t want to talk about their situation anymore.
3. Has Bed Sores
Bed sores are a common symptom of neglect among elderly people who live alone or don’t receive enough personal care services. Elderly adults who have been neglected have bed sores from not getting enough rest or from lying in the same position too long.
They may appear as bumps on the skin that can be painful and tender to touch. Bed sores occur when pressure from bedding compresses the skin underneath and causes it to become irritated.
4. Signs of Physical Abuse
In general, physical abuse can be challenging to detect without medical records or witness testimony. However, if you notice any suspicious bruises or injuries on your loved one’s body, it may indicate abuse. Bruises and scratches may appear on the face, back, and neck. These are sometimes caused by something as simple as a slap or punch from an abuser who does not mean to hurt them immediately after striking them.
In other cases, these bruises may have been caused by something more severe like a kick or stomp by an abuser who means to cause pain or injury for extended periods. Also, physical signs such as cuts and burns on your loved one’s skin can indicate that he has been abused physically at some point in his life (and possibly still).
5. Has Poor Hygiene
If you see an adult who smells bad or is dressed in dirty and stained clothes, they may have been neglected, especially if they cannot clean themselves up due to their old age or a certain disease.
6. Is Isolated from Friends and Family
The elderly should spend time with their family or friends at least once a day. If they don’t have anyone to spend time with, it could indicate that they are not being cared for by relatives or hired help.
7. Has Unexplainable Bruises, Burns, or Scars
A senior citizen with bruises on their face or body may suffer abuse at home. Sometimes seniors get hit by children who are being disciplined inappropriately. These wounds can sometimes be hidden beneath clothing, so it’s best to look at how they appear before jumping to conclusions about what happened.
With no doubt, elder neglect is a serious problem and is a common occurrence that occurs every day. So, if you suspect that an older person is being mistreated or neglected by family members, call authorities immediately!
About the author:
As a journalist, Leland D. Bengtson dedicated most of his career to law reporting. His greatest satisfaction is to convey legal matters to the public in a language that they can understand. He is active on various platforms and media outlets, writing about common legal issues that people confront with every day. While medical malpractice is his strong suit, Leland covers plenty of other topics, including personal injury cases, family law, and other civil and even criminal legal matters.
