Clare LouiseAccording to the National Council on Aging (NCOA), over 60% of mistreated seniors are victimized by a family member. A caregiver’s incapacity frequently causes elder abuse to perform their tasks at home or in a nursing facility. As a result, a critical component of elder abuse prevention is carefully selecting and supporting care workers. Elder abuse prevention also includes maintaining seniors in the greatest possible physical, mental, and social health. Speak with an Ontario elder care lawyer for more information.
Risk factors
Elder abuse, defined as purposeful injury perpetrated on an older adult by someone they have placed their trust in, can take various forms. To aid in preventing elder abuse, loved ones must be aware of the elements contributing to or raising the risk of elder abuse.
Caregiver risk factors
A caregiver’s mental condition and living circumstances impact their chances of perpetrating elder abuse. Caring for a dependent older adult may be a stressful and difficult duty that no one should undertake without enough help and preparation.
A caregiver is more likely to conduct elder abuse if:
- The caretaker is financially or emotionally dependent on the elderly person.
- The caregiver looks after an elderly person in poor physical or mental condition.
- Access to elder care services is limited for caregivers.
- The caregiver has unfavorable attitudes toward aging and the elderly.
- The caregiver has inadequate coping abilities.
- The caregiver is socially isolated.
- The caregiver has a mental disorder or is addicted to drugs.
- The caregiver was not sufficiently trained or equipped for caring tasks.
- As a youngster, the caregiver was subjected to abuse.
If a caregiver is already under stress, taking on eldercare obligations may result in violent outbursts, financial exploitation, neglect, and other types of abuse.
Institutional risk factors
Nursing facilities provide distinct risks to the seniors in their care. Nursing homeowners frequently understaff and overwork professional caregivers, resulting in hurried care, tiredness, frustration, and burnout.
Nursing home patients may be more vulnerable to elder abuse if their institution has:
- Inadequate hiring processes, such as failing to do full background checks.
- Staff turnover is high.
- There is little administrative monitoring.
- Stressful working situations.
- Staff who treat residents rudely or adversely
As a first step in preventing elder abuse, family members looking for a nursing home to care for a loved one should consider the red signs listed here. If your elderly loved one has been a victim of abuse or neglect, you should first reach out to an elder care attorney immediately.
Robert Desauza
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