Elder Abuse
The links below will go further in depth about elder abuse. Please review each site. Remember, it can happen to anyone.
I usually do not watch day time talk shows. But, today there was a VERY shocking topic on the Sally Jessy Raphael Show called Unbelievable Hidden Video! Unfortunately, there is not a link to the show I am going to speak about, but I will summarize it here. You may have even seen the show.
There was an 98 year old man who weighed 57 pounds. He was living with one of his daughters who had a nurse come in to assist him. The daughter trusted this particular nurse. The father, who could not speak or hold himself upright, had a bruise on his forehead. The daughter asked the nurse what had happened and the nurse told her she accidentally bumped the man with her arm. However, a next bruise appeared not too long after the first one occurred. The daughter spoke with other family members and they became suspicious.
So, they had a secret video put into her father's room. What I am going to tell you is what I saw on the video. It made my stomach turn and made me think, "Who can you trust these days?" The nurse literally spanked the elderly man, she slapped the bed ridden man, and she even pulled on his ears and started to shake his head up and down.
The woman was arrested and was in jail for a little while. I am not sure how long, but I know it wasn't very long. She only received 3 years probation.
My point to caregivers is this: If you receive in-home care, please do not put all of your trust in the worker. Not all workers will abuse. However, be on the lookout. If you see bruises ask where they came from. If you supect abuse, look into it immediately. If your loved one cannot communicate with you, look for bruises. The bruises may resemble finger print marks. Also, look for red marks on the body. ANYTHING out of the ordinary, look into it.
This is an excellent web site for an overview of nursing home abuse. It will provide you with some signs and symptoms of abuse in the nursing home setting.
Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect
This is another excellent resource. It consistes of
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