Preventing Elder Abuse in Connecticut

If your elderly loved one is a resident in a nursing home or another care facility, or if you have hired a home health aide, you want to do your best to prevent abuse and neglect. The elderly are at risk of neglect and abuse due to their age, lack of strength, smaller families, and more. In this section, you can learn more about how to protect your loved one from neglect and abuse.

Preventing Abuse

Start off by checking out our page about elderly neglect and abuse prevention. This will provide some basic information and tips to prevent abuse.
You can also prevent abuse by communicating with different people who work with the elderly. If you want to get in touch with the police, you can inquire about a nursing home’s history and determine if it is the right fit for a loved one. In addition, you can talk to the Director of Operations at a facility, the staff members, and even the residents to inform your decision about a nursing home. Not only can you get useful answers that you will need in finding the best facility, but you will also alert nursing home staff that you are on the lookout for neglect and abuse. This could deter staff members from harming your loved one.
If you are hiring a home health aide, ask them questions to make sure that you feel comfortable with them. Ask about their qualifications, previous incidents of neglect and abuse, and how they will prevent these issues for your loved one.
Another way that neglect and abuse can be avoided in nursing homes or during at-home care is by having cameras installed. Cameras have their pros and cons. Obviously, seeing a camera can deter someone from committing neglect and abuse, since they will realize that they will be caught and there will be evidence against them. However, your loved one might be uncomfortable with cameras in their room or home, since this could limit their privacy and freedom. Discuss the possibility of cameras with a nursing home or with your loved one before making a decision about them.

Finally, make sure that the home you choose does not have any problems with resident wandering. Residents might wander in many different situations, but especially if they become confused or lose track of where they are. While it might not seem like a big deal, wandering can be dangerous. A resident could wander into a restricted area or leave the facility. They could ultimately harm themselves, so make sure that the nursing home you are considering has a plan in place to prevent wandering.
Preventative measures are some of the best ways to avoid a neglect or abuse situation for your elderly loved one. Remember that you can learn more about neglect and abuse here on our website. We are also happy to answer any questions that you might have.