A new study has indicated that specific injuries found in the senior population is likely indicative of some sort of elder abuse.
More specifically, this study found that when there are injuries to a senior citizen’s head or neck–but no evidence of injuries anywhere else–some sort of abuse is likely to have occurred. Now, this isn’t always the case, but the study found that the likelihood of an injury of this sort happening without any other sort of complication is more than likely to come from abuse.
The vast majority of people who suffered from an unintentional fall and suffered a head or neck injury also had evidence of injury to other parts of the body. 50 percent of those that suffered only head and neck injury were also the victims of senior abuse. The study also found that only about 8 percent of unintentional fall victims suffered from an injury that fit this pattern. This data is helping those that treat seniors, either as a first responder or in the emergency room, to better detect the conditions that led up to the injury. In the case of elder abuse, that means finding the person or condition that led to the injury and fixing it, typically through some sort of legal prosecution.
Elder abuse continues to be a very serious issue within our communities. Sometimes it is done intentionally, and sometimes it isn’t. Either way, the abuse of senior citizens is an especially heinous crime because it preys upon those that are not always able to defend themselves. Our hope is that this research can open new doors when it comes to detecting, fighting, and stopping elder abuse. Hopefully, it will also lead to better prosecution when it comes to the legal judgment of those that are perpetrating abuse. It’s not a perfect solution, but this new method of detection has the potential to go a long way toward putting those that abuse others to justice.
Here at Paradise In-Home Care, we are dedicated to doing all that we can to help protect the people that we serve. Before we hire an individual, we take great strides to learn about that person. This means an extensive interview process where we get a feel for just why that person wants to pursue a career in senior care. It also means a background check. If someone is entering the care industry, we want to make sure that they truly want to help people, and not serve only their own ambitions.
We also take strides to protect families by fully insuring each of our caregivers. Even with the best of intentions, an accident can still happen. Our caregivers are all fully trained to help minimize this risk, but the added insurance is there to create peace of mind. If an emergency occurs, one of our caregivers will know precisely what to do. But, in the off chance that something were to happen, the people that we serve are going to be well protected.
That is our promise to you and your family.
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