Nothing quite grabs the attention of the media, management, and the public like an incident of resident abuse. And rightly so. Any alleged abuse of vulnerable seniors requires immediate and thorough investigation.
While statistics show that incidents of resident abuse are rare, the attention they receive makes it seem like they happen every day. But in reality the opposite is true.
Every day, HCAs, PSWs, and other caregivers experience abuse at the hands of residents. They are hit, pinched, kicked, and verbally abused. No matter how gently staff approach residents, sometimes they lash out without warning.
Many abusive residents suffer from some form of dementia. But many are fully cognitive and fully aware of what they are doing.
Why do they behave this way? A lack of time and available hands to provide adequate care is often the underlying cause. Caregivers must rush, rush, rush, and they end up frustrating residents to the point that some of them lash out.
We desperately need to provide caregivers with more time to care for residents effectively. More time so staff are not always rushing. More time to prevent frustrations from building and boiling over.
Help make the minister of health and local politicians aware that the safety of residents and staff alike depends on caregivers having enough time to care. Please sign a petition [link to petition] to increase the amount of hands-on care provided to seniors. Take the time to show that you care.