Do you suspect elderly abuse towards your aging parent or loved one? Check out the risk factors to keep a look out for and make sure you get the help that you need from trusted caregiving facilities such as Blessed Home.

As your parents age, their needs vary and, more likely, their needs increase. With this, aging parents will have more conditions and infirmities. They may also become less mobile and more dependent. As such, the demands of caregiving can be a lot, and even overwhelming.

Non-professional caregivers, who are typically family members such as spouses, children, and other relatives, are left with the task of caring. For many, especially with our Filipino culture with high regard for our elderly, this task can be satisfying. However, the demands may escalate as the years pass and the elderly parent’s health deteriorates. This can lead to stress for the caregiver. This means caregivers may get burned out, impatient, and they may even be more prone to neglecting the elderly and even being forceful or aggressive towards them.

This is important for families with elderly people as well as adults with special needs to share the load of caring for their loved ones. This is why there are facilities such as Blessed Home to help share the responsibility and demands of caregiving for their loved ones.

If there’s a sole caregiver in your household, chances are, they may be prone to stress and burnout. They may need a break and here is where Blessed Home can come in.

Watching Out for Elderly Abuse

If you suspect that your elderly parent or loved one may be subject to abuse, it’s best to watch out for these signs. The following we list below are tell-tale signs that you should look out for:

• Depression and feelings of isolation in the caregiver
• Lack of support from family members or other potential caregivers
• Feelings of being burdened by caregiving
• Caregiver expressing lack of emotional reward or fulfillment in their tasks
• Substance abuse by the caregiver
• Behavioral addictions from the caregiver such as gambling, excessive social media or mobile gaming use, and other dysfunctional behavior
• Increased complexity of caring for the elderly
• Intensity of the disease or illness
• Social isolation of both the elderly and the caregiver; they are alone most of the time
• The elder having a history of being abusive as a parent or spouse (especially to the caregiver)
• The elder’s tendency towards aggression and violence

Let’s face it: even professional caregivers may experience stress that can lead to elder abuse. This is why it’s best to choose a facility that will partner closely with you in giving the best care for your elderly parent or loved one.

There are many nursing home and elderly care facilities that may have staff that lack training and are unsuited to the responsibilities and demands of caregiving. They may also work under poor condition. It’s best to choose a facility that also manages their staff well and provides a conducive atmosphere for work and caregiving.

Talk to us at Blessed Home to learn more about how we can be your partner in providing the best care that delights and empowers your elderly loved ones.