Dementia Link to Abuse

PHOENIX, AZ, July 29, 2012 (Press-News.org) There are many causes of dementia, but one of the most debilitating, studied, and documented is Alzheimer's disease. With about 5 million Alzheimer's sufferers over the age of 65, and many of them placed in a nursing home, many of them are likely to suffer some type of nursing home injury due to abuse. In addition, many Alzheimer's sufferers can become violent and may put other nursing home residents at risk for injury.

Dementia Sufferers Subjected to Abuse

Unfortunately, there are many people who will take advantage of dementia sufferers by abusing them physically. They count on the fact that people with dementia make poor witnesses and may not be trusted, and their accounts may not be followed up on. They may subject them to beatings, abuse them sexually or verbally, or take advantage of dementia to subject them to irrational fears and paranoia.

Other times, abuse of dementia sufferers is due to frustration. Care workers subjected to high patient loads and the stressful demands of dementia sufferers may cause nursing home employees to lash out violently.

Dementia sufferers may also be the victims of physical or verbal abuse by other residents if not carefully monitored by the nursing home staff.

Dementia Sufferers Put Other Residents at Risk

It is not just care workers that are frustrated to the point of violence by dementia. Often, dementia sufferers themselves find their condition highly frustrating. They may become verbally abusive or even violent. When violent, angry, or abusive residents are left unattended with residents who are emotionally or physically vulnerable, the result may be ongoing abuse.

How to Protect Your Loved One for Abuse

Putting your loved one in a nursing home is a very hard decision, but you can make it easier by making sure that you have chosen your loved one's accommodations carefully. Most nursing homes are good environments for residents, where they can receive the constant care and monitoring as well as the emotional support they need.

Visit several nursing home facilities. Talk to the staff as well as residents at every home. Check with your state's ombudsman for help in picking a quality nursing home for your loved one.

Next, after you select a nursing home, make sure you visit your loved one regularly. Talk to them about their condition, care, the staff, and other residents. Make sure to get them out a few times, if possible, so they feel free to talk without the abuser hearing. And look for signs of abuse. If you have a suspicion, act on it.

If you believe your loved one has been the victim of abuse in a nursing home, you can learn more about your legal rights and options on the website of Cullan & Cullan, MD, JD at www.stopnursinghomeabuse.org.