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My mother has dementia and cannot remember what happened two minutes ago...she is at home with 24 hour care (4 shifts). She bruises very easy. My mother bruises and gets those purple marks on her arms. Can anyone tell me if those purple blood marks would appear on the face.. My mother now has what I would consider a black and blue mark under her eye that is suspicious but looks like the marks she gets on her arms very frequently. It's a little black and blue underneath...Any thoughts ? It was brought my attention but obviously no one is saying she fell, etc...I want to to know if it's her think skin or abuse? I just never saw the purple on her face..always her arms. Any thoughts??? Anyone familiar with those purple blood marks on seniors with very thin skin? I don't want to accuse anyone..

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I'd tread carefully, especially since she bruises easily and that isn't unusual, however, you need to be very aware. It's even possible - just possible - the bruises are suspicious. Not likely, though.
This kind of thing is tough. If she had only one caregiver, I'd be more worried. Since she has so many, there's a kind of checks and balances. Still, keep an eye open. Can you stop in unannounced from time to time? Is there a neighbor who can stop over "just to visit?"

You are right in not making accusations without grounds, but you are also right in being on alert. Watch carefully for anything suspicious.
Carol
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In addition, I suggest asking her doctor. Maybe some of her medicines make her more susceptible to bruises.
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You should absolutely be concerned, you are her only line of defense if there is abuse happening. Of course, it may not be abuse but this is where a "Granny Cam" might come in handy.
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I would try to contact the agency that sends the care giver to your Mom and discuss matters, If no results-there are senior agencies, that may be of help to you. I also would be inclined to get to the bottom of this matter.
Best,
Hap
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It is good you suspect everything. If you can, try and sit with your mom alone, and ask her about if anyone hits her. Other than that, you should let her internist know. Sometimes Leukemia patients have black and blue marks. My mom has CLL and I think her condition is worsening due to more black and blues. Get a blood test. You could always get a concealed device (camera hidden in a clock off the internet) , or put cameras in the rooms to tape what is happening. Even if you just tell the caregivers you have put in cameras(but you don't activate anything) you can then assess if the black and blue marks disappear. That would mean they have stopped abusing her. I still would get mom to the doctor.
-Hw
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brusing is an easy thing in elderly people, I care for my mon, and she is brusing all the time , falls, bumping herself on furniture,wheelchair, I am concerned when one happens, and if I would be accused of abuse to her, if she went to dr. I keep a dailey manual , documenting all falls, bruses, skin abraisions, also tell the other 2 caregivers when any thing happens, as they do me. you could have a short meeting with all your caregivers, state your concerns, ask them to document, and share any happenings that might produce a bruse, lol firstgirl
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People who bruise really easily can give themselves dark shadows under an eye just by rubbing the eye. I hate to put it this way but if she bruises that easily and she IS being abused, you'll see more obvious marks soon. It's the SECOND suspicious mark that would worry me. Keep a log of everything, so you can watch for patterns and not rely on your memory.
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First let me say that you need to put the facility on notice by strongly voicing your concern. Second, make more frequent visits. Third, id a granny cam is used make certain that you let people know that one exists and the film is being reviewed. The idea is to "stop it" before it happens again as opposed to "gotcha." Fourth and possibly higher in the order, know your mother's physical condition. Accidents do happen. In dementia, there is the potential for the person to self inflict accidentally. Some folks bruise very easily and naturally as a part of aging and some bruise because of medication. Do get some input from her doctor. wishing your mother well, Chad
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My 93 year old Mother was in a care home and fell out of bed a few times. She had a mark on her jaw from hitting the nightstand, but it was red. Does your Mother wear glasses? She could have bumped herself. I think it is confusing to ask a question of them--just as with small children--that could put words or thoughts in their mouth. When they are so confused, it's so hard to know what's really happening. Since Mother has been with us, she has not fallen, but occasionally has small marks on her arms and hands when she bumps herself on the table. Try to pay attention to the condition of most residents when you visit: if you see lots of similar facial marks, it could be a problem. If not, most likely it can be explained. Bless her:)
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Elderly skin thins out and the blood vessels are closer to the skin, so any little boo-boo can appear to be bigger. That's not to say that something didn't happen while caring for her.....it's easy to accidently touch a little hard while dressing, washing etc. Is there someone with her constantly? If not, it's possible she fell or bumped something and doesn't remember. Also her medications could be the cause. Coumadin would cause more bleeding even under the skin when there is any type of trauma. The other day I noticed on my mil that the area between her thumbs and index fingers was really darkly bruised. She denied hitting her hands.....her memory is about 5 minutes long....so who knows? I am the only one taking care of her so for now I will just watch. It could be that she fell.......that was a habit she had before we moved her close to us a yr ago. Keep a close eye on mom and if you start to see more or continuous marks I would certainly start looking for causes.
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I agree with ALL of the people above, and I am ALL for installing granny-cams and letting the staff know that you are doing so. If anyone is 'offended' by the cameras, in my humble opinion they have something to hid and perhaps should not be caring for your mother. Having a "friend" stop by unannounced will get you even MORE Insight.

There are cameras that allow you to 'check-in' with the use of your computer or even some of the newer 'smart-phones'. With all the technology that we have at our fingertips it is silly NOT to use it and feel more at ease with regards to your mother's care.
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I too agree, Get Cameras!! Yes the elderly bruise easilly, but not often and there is a reason why. For instance, my Mom screams when she gets a BM changed, the daycare has someone hold her while someone wipes her and she sometimes gets a red dot like a finger on her wrist. rarely tho and I know why. Our parents shouldnt be falling and causing bruising if they are watched well and treated with gentle patience. I also have cameras at home and I watch from work, or later on how she is treated . Your poor Mom cant speak for herself, YOU are her safety person, her advocate, and you need to take care of this right away. I have had and seen some pretty nasty caretakers AND the truth is that the worst ones were from an Agency!!!!
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Hello, 1st, you must trust your own instincts at all times.Try to establish a system of checks or install a camera. Tell the staff that there ARE cameras since your Mom cannot give information.You are her eyes and ears and mouth. You must protect her as you would a helpless infant .Observe your Moms subtle responses to each caretaker.Talk to her ALONE, in simple terms,ask if she's ok, is she safe and happy.rather than asking her to struggle to remember.See what reaction you get. I don't know what her communication level is, but try. You've got to be able to trust your helpers.Your task is hard enough without the lingering fear and uncertainty. Yes, elderly people can have very thin and fragile skin that bruises easily, especially if they are taking any so called "blood thinners":aspirin,coumadin, etc and also because they are very prone to dehydration. The dark spots you see are small bleeds under the skin,and can occur really anywhere on the body.However ! This is something your Mom's MD should be made aware of and you can also have an RN or an MD evaluate the mark on her face as well as the others. The facial bruising does sound a bit unusual. Thank God you are so attentive to your Mom and Love her enough to be concerned. Do both of you a favor now and call asibling or friend to be with you and call the MD and set up an appt. I wouldn't leave Mom alone with anyone until this is resolved. I SINCERELY hope that this is not a case of abuse.I 'll say a prayer for you tonight.God Bless and hang in there.D
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It's been my experience that paid caregivers are almost all very caring and sensitive people. That bruising can be caused by ruptured blood vessels under the skin, vessels that break in the elderly at the slightest excuse. Unless one of the caregivers gives you the creeps, I would lean toward believing that a single "suspicious" mark like that might have a dozen innocent causes. My wife gets bruises on her arms, hips and rib cage from straining while transferring into and out of her wheelchair. After a while, her doctor quit hinting that the bruises were "suspicious" and accepted that they just happen. Old people are fragile. Unless new bruises shaped like fingers or fist imprints start showing up, I'd give mom's care facility the benefit of the doubt.
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My relative bruises easily as her skin is thinner, and it is sensative. She takes a baby aspirin daily. When she sits she plops. Many times she has knocked her personal alarm against the bed or chair, causing it to go off. Even though made of fabric, the band irritates her skin, and the caregiver needs to change arms. She knocks things over and admits to bumping herself. She does not have dementia, and would be the first to tell me if a caregiver ever did anything to her. She gets blood tests periodically, and there is no problem in that department. She does fall on occasion, thus, the alarm. Once before she broke her hip and had to have caregivers after that, when she fell, her glasses hit her face, causing her to have a "black eye". Just some thoughts. It would never be my first thought to accuse a caregiver.
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hello pweified
everyone gave you real good advice but like others has said elderly people attends to bruise easy i am a caregiver and boy having several caregivers is hard to pinned it on...i know what your saying but i was in a situation like that i had a client that every time you touch her she bruise especially when your transfering her..do you mom half to be transfered if so make sure rather they walk or not that the caregivers have gait belts my clients walks but i still put a gait belt on them. do your mom wear glasses? it could be her glassess pressing to hard it can be numerous things but if you feel uncomfortable of whats going on i would drop by unexpected or have someone drop by. i dont know when the families drop by on me but i dont abuse my clients either i have 5 clients and they are all very thin skjin is what i call them. once again look into her medicine there are several causes bruises espeically cumaden blood thinner THATS a big brusier ..but i wouldn't let it slide..look into al that gave you some adivce...good luck
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I agree with the Granny Cam Idea-----Accusations might come back to haunt you later on... Also, if you DO find out that something is not right you have the video to back you up.
Good Luck--this is a tough call.
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Plavix is also a blood thinner that can increase bruising.
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The above answers sound very good, I would also suggest more strongly to get the medical evaluation. "Raccoon eyes" can sometimes represent a tracking of blood from an intracranial (head or brain) injury that might result form a fall or a blow which suprisingly often can go unreported. Does she seem different in terms of sleartness, movement, speech, or any other ability recently? That said, if it is clearly just a small bruise, and she is on coumadin or anti-platelet meds those kinds of purple bruises do happen very easily with thin, fragile skin and may not indicate abuse at all.
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I hope you read all of these and get a camera, as you will be SO happy you did either way!! I have to tell you thou, when you get a caregiver, most of them cannot do any other work, they didnt go to college and most didnt finish high school, thats why they have this job. When you get an older person who does it because they LOVE it, then you are golden, take a long time to find them. I have had many dredges of the earth apply and I learned if they ask about Money first in the interview, I dont hire them now. I now have to semi-retires who just love my Mom and do it because its what they want to do, not because its all they can do. If you cannot afford a nanny cam, buy one, leave the empty box where they can see it, then in a few weeks, return it. I think thats the only way you can warn them if you cant afford one at this time. Best of luck and remember, what would YOU want your family to do if YOU were being taken care of by strangers. Hugs
Luvmom
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I believe that some of the various alarm system companies now offer interior cameras as part of thier service, in addition to burglar, fire and panic alarms, specifically for this kind of thing.
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well lovemom thanks for that input you are right some didnt go to college and im one of them but my heart is the elderly and i do all the work plus i go beyond my duty and thats not abusing my clients i work in a nursing home and i will tell you the caregivers are the fist to be accuse i do not blame you what yuo are saying but this is ONE caregiver that will say i will turn in my family if they are abusing i got out of the nusing home and all i do is private care been doing it since my father passed i stayed home didnt work and i didnt trust my brothers and sisters to take care of him so i know i have the heart for my love one and the ones i take are of i 5 clients and each and every family member of the cleints trusts me before they trust their family memeber but you know you have to build a trust to get a trust..but you are right though.. the caregivers are the first to be blame..and there is not a camera in their houses but thats the way it goes and that a step a caregiver has to take
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Mzdiva, as a professional Caregiver yourself, how DO you, and others like you, feel about Cameras?
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msdiva, I am glad you understand and I do KNOW there are good caregivers out there who are like you, but for the most part, I myself had issues with many. They seemed perfect at first. I certainly wouldnt hire any caretaker unless they had a clear background check, a clear and safe driving record and could answer my questions how how to deal with specific behaviors in the elderly with dementia. IF I like the person I do a background check and have found "larceny," "dui''s" and poor driving records. Two I interviewed had clear records, then later on told me about their husband or boyfriend who were in jail due to drugs, humm do I want them being that close to a person who committed a drug related crime? I do have to say thou, my cameras are the size of a pin and you would never know I have them, affordable online, dont be so sure no one is watching, althou I know you wouldnt care either way. Please understand its very hard for us to let people into our homes, and to trust them right away. Thanks for being a good caregiver and keep up the good work.
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i woild ask the aids and the doc and how do u afford 24 hr care? put in a spy cam i would
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I would get her to the Doctors nand have her checked to see if was abuse or to be tested for lekemia have her blood checked. I would observe the aides carefully on how they take care of your mom . my mom was in a nusrsing home for 3 weeks she died friday night from alzheimer it was at the final stages she couldnt communcate much only a few words and she wouldnt eat much i had mom live with me for a year she was preety indendent whean live with us for 1 year up ontill last month she kept falling want able to walk any more i had her to the hospital i spoke to her social worker i was very burned from caring for her i couldnt get any help from any one.. my heart goes out o you.
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ted and lauvmom
personally i wouldn;t care if anyone i take care of has camera in my house, but you know its hard to trust caregivers now especially when they are young and just getting out of class..i came across some that doesnt know how to properly give a bed bath and there is a proper way i just look at them and ask them did they go to sleep or something in class its amazing about these young ones.now dnt get me wrong there are a few older ones thats has been out of touch that needs a liltte brush course now to answer your question no... i know a few that gets up tight and start hollaring about privatacy well..when the resident or client is being abuse the privacy goes out the window...the loves ones has be protected but tell you the truth their homes are the safest place to me and im not in this for the money but i know that nursing homes has change since i have been in one i have been fired from several this pass yr cause the stuff i see going on now WE back then wouldnt have gotten away with it and once i said something about it im a ---- starter coming in causing problems they can take them job NOW in the nursing and go to.... well you get my meaning i rather have homes assitant living jobs because it more personal but there is alot of abusing in nurrsing hm and i feel sorry for the resident. and back ground checks are VERY important i understand what your saying luvmom
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Is she on coumadin? If so, my Mom has bruises, but would definately keep an eye on the situation. I know it's scarey!
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also you could find out if she fell and hit her head! that will cause bruising under the eyes.
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You do have some wonderful answers---adding one more---have you thought about discussing the situation with someone from your local chapter of the Alzheimer's Association--as they are in tune to all phases of dementia? They also have a 24/7 helpline, if this works best in your case. Best to all---Hap
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