Signs Of Abuse In A Nursing Home

It's a very sad fact. Each and every year there are thousand of cases reported of nursing home abuse. Abuse can come in a variety of forms, but they can be suffering from mental issues, physical abuse or a caregiver abusing them for money. You must become familiar with all of the signs of this growing epidemic if you have someone you love that is in a nursing home facility, or one that is receiving care right in their own homes.

Once someone that is in their senior years becomes a bit on the codependent side, they will need some additional help getting through day. This is all completely normal, and no one should ever feel ashamed or embarrassed to ask for this type of help. Once you have discovered that your loved ones may need some help, look into what options you and your other family members can afford. Nursing homes can tend to be very pricey and some insurance policies do not help with these fees. Ensure first the building is safe, is well lit at night, has nurses around the clock should something occur and that they have methods of advising you should there be any issues with your loved one.

Sings of elderly abuse are very easy to define. All seniors become more frail as they age, their bones and even their skin become weaker and thinner. If they have been abused in any shape or form, you can generally tell by noticing any bruising on the skin, or even worse if they pain from any injury. If they have any injuries and they have no explanation for them, they can also have scars or welts on their bodies. They can experience drug overdoses, display signs of being restrained which would be markings on the wrists, and also destroyed eyeglasses.

Often a patient in a home can suffer from being mentally abused and need help to stop it at once. This can become more clear if you go to visit the patient and their caregiver does not allow you to see them without them being present. When you can no longer have visits with your family members in private, there should be some questions arise. Unexplained weight loss or gain can also be signs. If they have experienced bleeding, even around the genitals you must look into why this is happening. In the event your loved one has not been cleaning themselves or they have a caregiver to do it normally, you need to find out why they are not being kept clean as well. Look into anything that appears to be suspicious to you, even if you feel it is silly. It is much better to have tried to do something about it than to have let it go and someone suffer for it.

You May Have Allergens Lurking In Your Home:

Are your allergies out of control? Have you considered the possibility that allergens may be hiding in your home? Most people have no idea that some home products may intensely aggravate skin and respiratory allergies.

If you have pet allergies, you’re probably already aware of them. Did you know, however, that certain pet shampoos could decrease or increase these sensitivities? Likewise, many carpet deodorizers, particularly those that contain talc, can heighten allergies, as well as allergy-induced asthma. Many veterinary clinics and animal specialty stores offer pet-related merchandise specifically for owners who are sensitive to pet dander or chemicals used in animal care items.

Many people are also sensitive to dust or dust mites. While it is necessary to remove dust, many dusting and furniture polishes contain aerosols or other compounds that increase sensitivities to allergies. Usually, dusting with a damp cloth once weekly is sufficient to remove dust without harming your furniture. If your allergies are very severe, you may want to consider delegating this job to another member of the family.

Recently, office supply companies and home department stores have been selling aerosolized products designed to purge dust from computer towers and other locations that are hard to reach. If you have respiratory allergies, do not use these products; they have caused numerous severe allergy-induced asthma attacks. If these products must be used in your home, let someone else do this job, and leave your home while they are being used. In addition, be sure the room is well ventilated, and allow the product to dissipate completely before returning home or re-entering the room.

Be aware, as well, that aerosolized dust removers can be lethal to children and adolescents. These items are becoming popularly used as inhalants, for ‘getting high’, by school children. Furthermore, these aerosols remain in the air sacs of the lungs much longer than other commonly used inhalants or ‘huffing’ drugs. As the number of fatalities continues to rise steadily, manufacturers may be required to significantly restrict the sale or distribution of these products. If you have children in your home, consider whether having these chemicals around is really worth the risk.

Another home allergen is hiding in your laundry room. Many people know of their sensitivities to laundry detergents. Are you aware, though, that fabric softeners cause nearly as many allergic reactions as laundry soap? The synthetic chemicals from these items attach to clothing and are worn throughout the day, creating constant exposure for people with respiratory allergies.

Did you know you can purchase reusable fabric softening balls that do not contain chemicals? These balls are placed in the dryer with each load of laundry. They reduce static cling and soften clothing fabric without causing allergic reactions. They are an inexpensive, effective way to quickly reduce your exposure to domestic allergens.

Explore possible causes of allergies in your home. Eliminate or reduce them. If you and your family do not have allergies, know that people can develop sensitivities with repeated exposure to allergens. Protect your family from future allergies by decreasing their exposure!