Nursing home abuse is a dire concern for people who send their loved ones to an assisted living facility. You may worry more if your parent has dementia because seniors with this condition are vulnerable to falling, bruising, and wandering into an unsafe area. The worst part is that they may not even remember how they suffered an injury. There is always a chance of caregivers abusing them because they are not in a position to raise an alarm. But you can file a lawsuit of nursing home abuse to seek justice for your parent, cover their medical costs, and get compensation for their pain and suffering. Here are some steps to address the risks of nursing home abuse for seniors with dementia.
Understand the limitations of your loved one
Dementia causes the neurons to die as the brain loses its volume gradually. Patients gradually lose their ability to recall memories and think normally. It is crucial to understand the limitations of a loved one with dementia as they may have a hard time recognizing abuse and reporting it. These limitations include difficulty identifying people, places, and time, trouble finding words to communicate, and confusion over events. The patient may lack interest in important issues, so they may not even realize the seriousness of the situation. The risk of abuse runs high because you may never know what your loved one is going through at the facility.
Watch out for signs of abuse
If your loved one is in an assisted living facility, their well-being is still your responsibility. Whether or not they suffer from dementia, you must keep an eye on signs of abuse. Seniors often suffer in silence because they fear reporting neglect and abuse. Those with dementia are at a higher risk because they simply forget or do not recognize ill-treatment. You must watch out for signs like physical injuries, weight loss, unkempt appearance, behavioral changes, and unsanitary conditions. These are subtle indications of something being amiss, so give attention and ask questions. A vigilant and proactive approach can go a long way in keeping your parent safe from abuse.
Know your legal rights
Nursing home abuse has legal ramifications for assisted living facilities because seniors and their loved ones can claim compensation for the lack of care. If you suspect a problem, you must call a nursing home abuse attorney sooner than later. They can guide you about the claim process and ensure you get the relevant evidence to prove abuse in court. The compensation can be even more in case your parent has dementia. The condition compounds their suffering, so you must do everything to ensure that the caregivers and the facility have to pay for their negligent or abusive behavior.
Be aware of the types of abuse
You cannot rely on the information about the quality of care provided by a senior with dementia. At the same time, there is always a possibility of misinterpreting signs of abuse. But you can still deal with the situation by being aware of the type of abuse your loved one may face in the facility. Seniors with dementia are at a risk of facing the following forms of mistreatment in a nursing home:
- Physical abuse
- Neglect or intentional deprivation of their needs
- Emotional abuse, such as humiliation, harassment, or threats
- Sexual assault
- Financial exploitation
- Overmedication
- Confinement or isolation
Knowing these risks puts you in a better place to identify them and address them with quick and relevant action.
Check the credentials and reputation of the facility
When sending a senior to an assisted living facility, you expect them to provide a high standard of care. Residents have a legal right to quality care because they pay for it. A violation of these rights is legally punishable. You can do your bit to ensure senior safety by checking the credentials and reputation of the facility before selecting it for your loved one. You may research online, check reviews, and seek recommendations to find a trustworthy facility for your parent. Remember to check their history of nursing home claims and skip it altogether if they have a bad track record.
A senior with dementia requires extra care and attention at home or in an assisted living facility. You must go the extra mile to safeguard them against abuse and neglect by caregivers. Follow these steps to ensure the safety of your loved one. Also, keep a constant watch on them even if the caregivers seem to be good enough.