Seniors are at risk for elder abuse even if they’re mentally and physically healthy. Elder abuse can take many different forms, which means it may be difficult to spot in some situations. Follow these tips to prevent your elderly loved one from being abused.
Understand What Elder Abuse Is
One of the most important ways to prevent elder abuse is to be informed. There are many types of elder abuse that often involve terrorizing, humiliating, ridiculing, or intimidating a senior. Elder abuse can also consist of neglect if a caregiver is ignoring a senior or not meeting his or her needs. In some cases, abuse may be financial exploitation. Being able to understand elder abuse can help you recognize and put a stop to dangerous situations.
Elder abuse isn’t the only age-related issue seniors may have to face. Living alone at home in the golden years can present a few unique challenges. Trust at-home care professionals to help your senior loved one maintain a higher quality of life while he or she lives with an illness and performs the daily tasks of living.
Be Aware of the Signs
Signs of elder abuse can be physical, such as bruises, scars, scrapes, dislocations, or broken bones, and they can also include improper usage of medication. If your loved one is being neglected, the abuse signs may include weight loss, dehydration, bedbugs, and unclean surroundings. Seniors who are being financially abused may have sudden changes in their wills, duplicate billings, unpaid bills, missing cash or goods, or unexplained withdrawals from their accounts.
Spend Time Together
To see signs of potential abuse, you need to spend time with your loved one. Instead of just having quick visits, sit down with your loved one and converse with him or her. During your chats, discuss your loved one’s health and bills, and you can also ask questions about friends and other caregivers. It may also be helpful to set aside a few hours to keep your loved one company while managing his or her daily routine. Make sure your visits include time with just the two of you together, as your loved one may be too intimidated to mention the abuse in the company of others.
Caring for a senior loved one can be a challenging task. If you find your caregiving duties overwhelming, consider hiring a professional caregiver. Whether you need respite from your caregiving duties or your aging loved one needs live-in care, Barrie, Ontario, Home Care Assistance can meet your family’s care needs. Our dedicated caregivers are available around the clock to provide transportation to doctor’s appointments, ensure seniors take their prescribed medications, and help with a variety of tasks in and outside the home.
Encourage Frequent Health Checkups
Many people confuse signs of elder abuse with symptoms of dementia or other health issues. Elder abuse often mimics these symptoms, since it causes behavior changes, bruises, and other issues common among seniors. It’s important to make sure your loved one visits the doctor after experiencing any sort of health issue. If possible, try to get healthcare power of attorney for your loved one. Power of attorney will allow the doctor to share information with you so you can confirm your loved one’s health issues aren’t caused by abuse.
Seniors can lower their risk of experiencing abuse and enjoy a high quality of life by receiving competent in-home care services. If you have a senior loved one who needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of homecare Barrie families can rely on. All of our caregivers are bonded, licensed, and insured, there are no hidden fees, and we never ask our clients to sign long-term contracts. To learn about our premier in-home care plans and how they can help your loved one, give us a call at 647-970-3803 today.