Negligent care of elderly Californians can lead to injury or death

April 08, 2014 (Press-News.org) Negligent care of elderly Californians can lead to injury or death

Article provided by The Figari Law Firm
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Wandering is a common behavioral problem for people suffering from Alzheimer's disease or other types of dementia. Wandering may include an unintentional wrong turn in unfamiliar surroundings or an elopement -- purposeful leaving with an inability or unwillingness to return. In either case, wanderers are unsupervised, putting them at risk of injury or death.

Late last year, an older California woman wandered away from her hospital bed in the San Francisco General Hospital two days after admittance for treatment of an infection. Medical staff recognized that she was disoriented but failed to monitor her movements.

Unfortunately, the ensuing search for her was unfruitful and it was not until two and a half weeks later that her body was discovered in a stairwell of the medical facility. Her family is pursuing legal action after state investigators determined that both the hospital and the sheriff's department in charge of security were to blame for her wrongful death.

Risks for dementia sufferers

According to the Alzheimer's Association, more than 50 percent of all people with Alzheimer's wander off, leaving the safety of their homes or medical facilities. Cognitive impairment -- from any cause -- places an elder at risk of wandering and wandering may often be a reason for placement of him or her in a nursing home, assisted living facility or hospital.

Alzheimer's researchers point to various reasons why people may wander, such as:
-Boredom or anxiety
-Escaping physical or mental discomfort
-Confusion or disorientation
-Reliving the past or trying to go "home"
-Searching for something like a bathroom or someone familiar
-Thinking it is time to leave when they watch visitors or employees going home

Many medical facilities are designed specifically for people who suffer from memory loss or from various forms of dementia. These care units are supposedly designed specifically for patients who are inclined to wander. Unfortunately, negligent care and abuse can take many forms and some facilities and employees harm those they are sworn to protect by failing to:
-Identify which patients are at risk of wandering
-Provide adequate supervision
-Control and treat triggering events and causes for wandering

A lawyer can help

If you fear that a loved one received improper or inadequate care, causing injury or death, consult a lawyer experienced with issues of elder care. An attorney knowledgeable about legal matters with elder neglect and abuse can help.