Child neglect is the most common form of maltreatment of children where their basic needs are not sufficiently met. These needs include adequate clothing, food, education, nurturing, emotional support, and health care. Neglect can result in harm or distress for the child or interfere with their development. So, it is important to recognize the common signs of child neglect to address the issue and protect the children using the right support measures.

Common signs of child neglect
Neglect can be physical and emotional. Some of the common signs of child neglect are:

Poor hygiene and unkempt appearance
When a child is physically neglected by caregivers, they may seem untidy. They could also lack good personal hygiene and have severe body odor. Further, the child may not wear appropriate clothes for the weather, and the clothing can seem unwashed or smelly. Due to unhygienic conditions, they may also show symptoms of skin infections such as scabies, flea bites, rashes, ringworm, and sores. For toddlers and infants, this form of neglect may manifest as recurring occurrences of nappy rashes.

Extreme changes in behavior
This is a sign of physical as well as emotional neglect that has developed over a long time, sometimes years. At a certain point, one may notice severe behavioral changes in the child. They can become extremely clingy or withdrawn into themselves, refusing to socialize. Sometimes, the child will exhibit aggressive or obsessive behavior. Some children experience anxiety, paranoia, and depression due to neglect. Further, persistent neglect can make a child exhibit antisocial behavior.

Poor academic performance
Another common sign of child neglect is drastic changes in performance at school. A neglected child undergoes trauma and psychological distress, making it hard for them to pay attention in class. Also, due to parental or guardian neglect, the child will often miss school leading to poor attendance records. As a result, they find it hard to keep up with the rest of the class and may not be able to grasp what is being taught in class. The child will be unable to complete assignments and projects on time and may persistently fail in tests. Their social skills become poor, and they may find it difficult to relate or connect with their classmates.

Frequent health issues
Another telltale sign that a child is neglected is failing health. This mostly results from a lack of regular and well-balanced meals. The deficiency of adequate nutrients, along with the psychological distress due to neglect, manifests in the form of several health issues in the child. They will show symptoms of anemia, weak muscle tone, malformed joints, and dental problems. Also, the child may go through recurring infections, such as in the ears or stomach. As a result, their abdominal region may appear too slim or swollen. The child may also have untreated injuries resulting from frequent accidents due to a lack of supervision. Additionally, they may experience fatigue. The caregivers may also not keep up with the child’s medical appointments.

Developmental problems
Another common sign of a child being neglected is developmental problems. Emotional and physical neglect affects the kid’s ability to reach developmental milestones that other children their age achieve. As a result, the child may have below-average language and social skills. Also, they may experience stunted or slow physical and emotional growth.

Housing issues
This is a less apparent sign of child neglect, which only becomes known when a social worker or a community worker visits the child’s home. They may observe that the kid’s bedtime, daily routine, and curfew time are overlooked. Also, the home could be unfit and unsanitary for a child, say, it lacks proper heating, light, or running water. Further, the child could be left unsupervised and alone for long periods of time. Sometimes, the child’s needs are neglected when they are compelled to become a caregiver for another member of the family, like younger siblings or an ailing parent.

Support measures
A child exhibiting just one of the above-mentioned signs does not necessarily mean they are neglected. But it becomes crucial to pay close attention if one notices such signs. In such cases, the following measures can be taken:

Listening to the child: It is important to avoid dismissing the child if they say they are being mistreated or neglected. So, one should refrain from questioning or doubting their claims or memory of the neglect. Dismissing their experience can make the child shut down and become afraid to report what they are going through. The best thing to do in such situations is to remain calm and reassuring.

Ensuring safety: Before helping the child, one should ensure their safety so that the intervention does not cause more harm to the child. Also, it is possible that the support may be considered a threat when caregivers suspect interference. So, one should observe the situation closely and connect with professionals to avoid putting themselves and the child in danger. Professionals will be able to handle the situation in the best way.

Reporting neglect: If one has reason to believe that a child is being neglected and it is threatening their wellbeing, it is important to report it. In addition, if it is evident that the incidences of neglect have been occurring repeatedly, one should report each incident separately. When significant information is provided over time, there is a higher chance the child will receive adequate assistance.

Caregivers are a great source of help for the elderly, especially those with health and mobility issues. They help seniors perform daily tasks like grooming and toileting, improving their quality of life. However, finding the right caregiver for specific requirements can be a tall task as there are many factors to consider. Here are a few handy details to make the selection process more manageable for seniors and their families.

Types of home senior caregivers
Depending on their health situation, seniors may require assistance with specific tasks. So, it is crucial to hire someone who has experience and expertise in managing those tasks effectively. Caregivers can be classified into the following types based on the work they specialize in:

Personal care aides (PCAs)
PCAs act as companions and helpers to the elderly. They talk to them, cook meals, assist them with bathing and dressing, accompany them for walks in the neighborhood, perform minor housekeeping tasks, pick up treatments, and help with shopping and doctors’ appointments.

PCAs possess varying degrees of expertise and experience in the field. They may also undergo training depending on the guidelines set by the state. However, some states do not have any formal requirements, and one may work as a PCA without a license.

PCA services usually tend to be an out-of-pocket cost, meaning private health insurance policies and Medicare/Medicaid do not cover them.

Home health aides (HHAs)
The training requirements for these caregivers are stricter. As per the federal guidelines, HHAs should complete at least 75 hours of training; however, the certification and training requirements vary from state to state.

HHAs are well-equipped to monitor a senior’s health parameters, such as pulse rate. Additionally, like PCAs but with greater expertise, they can assist the elderly with bathing, using the bathroom, dressing, and other daily living activities. These caregivers can also prepare meals, provide a source of conversation and companionship, and carry out light housekeeping tasks.

The care services of HHAs are comparable to that of PCAs, but the former has greater expertise in health care and undergoes more training and active practice in their field of work. Therefore, compared to standard PCAs, the service costs of HHAs are relatively higher.

Registered nurses
Registered nurses possess plenty of experience and training in the healthcare industry. They can develop extensive care plans for seniors, perform timely health assessments, and provide nursing care. Registered nurses are also adept at supervising members of the nursing team, such as certified nursing assistants, home health aides, and vocational nurses. In senior care homes, they can perform case managerial tasks, such as coordinating staff members responsible for planning and overseeing their clients’ home senior care needs.

Registered nurses need to be highly qualified and experienced to land a job. They hold a Bachelor of Science (BSN) degree in nursing, which is a four-year program. Some may have an associate’s degree in nursing, which is a two-year program. On top of these, registered nurses also need to pass a state-administered examination to obtain a legitimate license, which enables them to provide home care for seniors.

Tips for selecting a senior caregiver
While evaluating or comparing candidates, one must pay attention to a few crucial factors. Here are some tips for choosing an ideal caregiver:

Hire someone with a likable personality
Personality is an underrated and overlooked aspect of caregivers, but it is just as vital as their degrees and experience. Caregivers are supposed to be companions and friends to old people, so they must have a cheerful personality. While there is no way to assess somebody’s personality through a few meetings, seniors or their representatives hiring caregivers must rely on their gut instinct to evaluate this aspect. Pre-selection interviews are a good way to determine if candidates have common interests or personality traits that make them the “right choice” for the job.

Verify their licenses, qualifications, and experience
One must perform thorough background checks before opting for a caregiver’s services. This is perhaps obvious when hiring for any job. Home senior caregivers, such as registered nurses, must have the documentation, knowledge, and, above all, day-to-day know-how of their profession. This is especially important if the patient requires healthcare assistance daily. Based on which state one is living in, they must also check the candidate’s certification and licenses and conduct interviews to ensure they are permitted to practice. Caregivers with five to ten years of experience are considered ideal for the job.

Discuss the nature of the job
Clients need to be transparent when discussing the kind of assistance they need. One should also make it clear to their caregivers whether they need their attention 24/7. Ask them if they are willing to work only with one senior citizen during the contracted period.

Apart from the above, factors such as insurance, language skills, cooking skills, ability to deal with pets, and other aspects can be considered.

Best places to find quality caregivers
To find caregivers, one can rely on word-of-mouth references, job lead websites, social media pages of home care services, local community groups and events, and community bulletin boards. Individuals can also look for caregiver ads in newspapers, magazines, billboards, and other sources.