What Are The Top Potential Risks When Hiring Someone For Elderly Care?
The decision to hire someone to provide elderly care for a loved one should not be taken lightly. It is important to be aware of the potential risks involved in this type of arrangement before making a final decision.
There are six major risks that you should be aware of before hiring a caregiver for your elderly loved one. Let’s take a closer look at each of these risks.
Table of Contents
The risk of financial exploitation
Unfortunately, financial exploitation is a very real possibility when it comes to hiring someone to provide elderly care. This is particularly true if the caregiver is given access to the elderly person’s finances. There have been cases where caregivers have stolen money from their elderly clients, so it is important to be vigilant about this possibility. Make sure you choose a caregiver that you can trust and who has no history of financial exploitation.
Additionally, be sure to keep an eye on your loved one’s finances and look for any unusual activity. If you suspect that financial exploitation is taking place, be sure to report it to the authorities immediately.
The risk of physical abuse
Sadly, physical abuse is also a potential risk when hiring someone to provide elderly care. According to the legal representatives from McMath Woods P.A, who asked the question “How Often Does Abuse Occur?“, caregivers have been known to physically abuse their elderly clients in more than 10% of the cases. This type of abuse can take many different forms, from hitting and slapping to restraining the person in a way that causes them physical harm.
This is why it is so important to carefully screen any potential caregivers before making a final decision. Conduct a thorough background check on any potential candidates and make sure to ask for references. It is also a good idea to meet with the caregiver in person to get a sense of their personality and to see if there are any red flags that you should be aware of.
If you have any concerns about the way the caregiver is treating your loved one, or if you’ve noticed any signs of physical abuse, be sure to report it to the authorities immediately.
The risk of neglect
Neglect can occur when the caregiver simply does not have the time or energy to properly care for their elderly client. Neglect can take many different forms, from not providing enough food or water to not providing adequate medical care. This type of neglect can often lead to serious health problems for the elderly person, so it is important to be on the lookout for any signs of it.
For instance, if you notice that your loved one is losing weight or becoming dehydrated, this could be a sign that they are not being properly cared for. If you have any concerns about the way the caregiver is treating your loved one, be sure to speak up and express those concerns.
However, neglect is often hard to prove, so it is important to trust your gut and take action if you suspect that something is not right.
The risk of emotional abuse
Emotional abuse is another type of abuse that can occur when hiring someone to provide elderly care. This type of abuse can often be even more difficult to spot than physical abuse, as it can involve things like verbal cruelty or manipulation.
According to the National Center on Elder Abuse, emotional abuse is one of the most common types of abuse that elderly people experience. This type of abuse can have a serious impact on the victim’s mental health and well-being, so it is important to be on the lookout for any signs of it.
Signs of emotional abuse can include things like withdrawal from social activities, sudden changes in mood or behavior, and becoming more withdrawn and isolated. If you notice any of these signs in your loved one, it is important to speak up and express your concerns.
On the other hand, the manipulating caregiver might try to gaslight the elderly person by making them question their memories or perceptions. If you suspect that this is happening, it is important to get help from a professional who can assess the situation and take appropriate action.
The risk of sexual abuse
Sadly, sexual abuse is also a potential risk when hiring someone to provide elderly care. This type of abuse can occur when the caregiver takes advantage of their position of power to coerce or force the elderly person into sexual acts.
Unfortunately, sexual abuse is one of the most underreported types of elder abuse. This is often because the victims are embarrassed or ashamed to speak up, or because they fear that no one will believe them. Also, the perpetrator might threaten to hurt the victim or their family if they speak up.
If you suspect that your loved one is being sexually abused, it is important to get help from a professional, like a doctor or a lawyer, who can investigate the situation and take appropriate action. You should also report any suspicions of sexual abuse to the authorities.
Not being covered by insurance
One of the potential risks of hiring someone to provide elderly care is that they might not be covered by insurance. This means that if something goes wrong, you could be held liable for any damages or injuries that occur.
For instance, if the caregiver gets injured while working, or if they damage your property, you could be stuck with the bill if they are not properly insured.
To avoid this, it is important to make sure that the caregiver you hire is properly insured. You should also ask for proof of insurance before hiring someone, and make sure that their policy is up to date.
There are several potential risks when hiring someone to provide elderly care. These risks can have a serious impact on the health and safety of your loved one, so it is important to be aware of them before making a decision.
Make sure you do your research and ask the right questions before choosing a caregiver for your elderly loved one!
Last Updated on August 26, 2022
