Growing old is such a delight and desire for most people however this life phase can come with some level stretch on both the elderly person and the caregiver.
Most times caring for an elderly person is difficult even if you are a trained caregiver. Here are some of the common difficulties that caregivers may encounter when taking care of an elderly person;
- Elderly people may require assistance with daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, and feeding. This can be physically demanding and tiring for caregivers.
- They may experience mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and dementia, which can be emotionally taxing on caregivers.
- Caring for an elderly person often requires a significant amount of time and effort, which can interfere with other responsibilities and obligations.
- Elderly care can be expensive, especially if the caregiver needs to purchase special equipment, and medications, or hire professional care services.
- Also, elderly people may have health conditions that can be contagious or require close contact, increasing the risk of exposure to illness for the caregiver.
- Caring for an elderly person can sometimes create tension and conflict within families, especially if multiple family members are involved in caregiving.
These challenges can be overwhelming and frustrating for caregivers and as such can cause them to abuse the elderly person in their care or treat them harshly.
So, how do you know an elderly person is abused;
You know an elder is being abused if there is a show or signs of intentional harm, neglect, or mistreatment from a caregiver whether is a family or not.
Abuse of an elder can take a lot of forms as there is no one size fits all scheme that can help you tell expressly. This abuse forms can be physical, emotional, sexual, and financial, as well as neglect and abandonment.
7 Important Signs of Elder Abuse
Here are seven important signs that may indicate elder abuse:
-
Physical injuries
Although elderly people are prone to falls and accidents due to age and weakening of muscles, unexplained bruises, cuts, or burns, especially in areas that are not easily visible, may be signs of physical abuse.
-
Emotional changes
Of course, old age comes with some fears and regrets which can cause anxiety. However, elder abuse can lead to emotional changes such as depression, anxiety, fear, and withdrawal.
-
Sexual abuse
Some elderly people are abused sexually. Any unexplained sexually transmitted infections, bruises, or bleeding in the genital area may indicate sexual abuse.
-
Financial exploitation
Sometimes with age comes forgetfulness and unguided trust. When there is a sudden change in the older person’s financial situation, such as unexplained withdrawals, unpaid bills, or missing valuables, may indicate financial abuse.
-
Neglect
Lack of proper hygiene, malnutrition, dehydration, bedsores and other signs of neglect can be a result of the failure of the caregiver to provide adequate care.
-
Changes in behavior
If an older person becomes unusually quiet, fearful, agitated, or exhibits signs of dementia, these may be signs of abuse or neglect.
-
Isolation
Also,f an older person is isolated from friends and family and is not allowed to communicate freely, this may indicate emotional abuse or neglect.
If you notice any of these signs, it is important to take action to protect the older person from harm. You can contact a local elder abuse hotline, adult protective services agency, or law enforcement for assistance or you can get the services of a professional home care agency.
In cases of abuse, is it wise to employ the services of a home care agency?
If you suspect that an elderly person is being abused, it is important to report the abuse to the appropriate authorities and seek help from professional organizations that specialize in elder care. Once the elder has been removed from the abusive situation, a homecare agency can provide supportive services such as personal care, housekeeping, and meal preparation to help the individual maintain their independence and quality of life.
That’s where a professional home care agency comes into play. Goodhands Homecare LLC has good resources for providing care and support to elderly individuals. You can book an appointment by calling +1-317-742-4135 or sending us an email for any form of inquiry at [email protected]
Ensure to look out for the elderly ones around you. Chances are that they may not be able to speak up and have you come to their rescue but with careful observation and the signs we have spotted out, you can be able to tell if there is a case of abuse or not.