Peoria Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease Nursing Home Neglect Lawyers

Protecting Patients With Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease

There are a variety of issues that can affect the health and safety of nursing home residents. People who are elderly, disabled, or in infirm health are at a higher risk of suffering harm due to injuries or illnesses, regardless of their environment. However, neglect or abuse at nursing homes can significantly increase the chances that residents will be injured. Nursing home residents with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease are especially vulnerable, since they may be unable to fully communicate their needs or tell others about issues that are affecting them. When patients in these situations suffer injuries, their families may be unsure about how this happened or what can be done to address the issue.

When nursing homes fail in their duty to provide patients with the proper care and treatment and to protect them against harm, family members of those who were injured can take steps to hold a facility’s owners responsible for their negligence. The team at Nursing Home Injury Center can help families evaluate the circumstances surrounding an injury, assess whether there is evidence of nursing home negligence, and determine what steps can be taken to prevent future injuries. We understand the difficulties that many families experience as they ensure that a loved one with dementia receives the proper care, and we can help them do what is necessary to protect against any forms of negligence that may affect them in the future.

Protecting the Safety of Patients With Alzheimer’s Disease or Dementia

Elderly nursing home residents who suffer from dementia or Alzheimer’s disease may need a higher level of care to ensure that their health and safety will be protected. Due to the decline of their mental faculties, they may be unable to fully address their own needs, and they may not understand everything that is happening around them. They may also struggle to communicate effectively with others and inform staff members about issues that are affecting them.

Patients with dementia or related conditions may experience injuries or illnesses due to issues such as:

• Abuse by nursing home staff – In many cases, staff members view dementia patients as “difficult” because they may not listen to instructions or behave appropriately. This can lead staff members to engage in physical abuse out of anger or frustration. They may also take steps to restrain patients and keep them under control, including using physical restraints such as wrist straps attached to a bed or using sedatives or other medications as a form of chemical restraint.
• Sexual abuse – Patients who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease or other mental health issues may be targeted by abusers who believe that they will be unable to tell others about incidents of inappropriate touching, sexual assault, or other harmful actions.
• Dehydration and malnutrition – A person with dementia may not be aware of their own needs, and if they do not receive the proper assistance, they may not eat at meal times or get enough to drink during the day. This can lead to dangerous health issues and complications that can affect a person’s overall health.
• Wandering and elopement – Nursing home staff must ensure that patients are properly supervised. Since dementia patients may not be fully aware of their surroundings, a lack of supervision may lead them to wander into unfamiliar areas and get lost, or they may even leave the grounds of a facility altogether.
• Fall injuries – In situations where nursing home residents with Alzheimer’s disease are not fully aware of potential safety risks, they may be unable to avoid situations where they could slip on wet surfaces or trip on obstacles and fall down. These incidents can result in multiple types of serious physical injuries.

Addressing Abuse or Neglect Affecting Alzheimer’s and Dementia Patients

When a nursing home fails to provide the proper care and treatment for its elderly residents, a family can take action so the facility can be held accountable. At Nursing Home Injury Center, we understand the devastating impact that abuse or neglect can have on nursing home residents who suffer from dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. We can work with your family to ensure that your loved one’s safety and well-being will be protected. Contact us today at 309-524-6900 for a free consultation.