Seniors in Orange County nursing homes and assisted-living facilities, as well as older adults throughout Southern California, are more vulnerable to forms of abuse than younger people. Indeed, elderly nursing home and assisted-living facility residents can be subject to physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, as well as passive neglect — all of which can result in debilitating and even fatal injuries. Life in a nursing home or assisted-living facility should feel safe, and residents should be well cared for, yet many frequently are in precarious positions where their health and safety are at great risk. Why are older adults so susceptible to abuse? Our experienced Orange County nursing home neglect lawyers can explain in more detail, and we can speak with you today about any concerns you have that may warrant an investigation and a nursing home abuse claim.
Cognitive Impairment
Cognitive impairments, including those caused by Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, are one of the most common reasons that older adults are more susceptible to various forms of abuse and neglect in nursing homes or memory care facilities. Indeed, according to the Alzheimer’s Association, “people with dementia are especially vulnerable because the disease may prevent them from reporting the abuse or recognizing it,” which can also result in acts of abuse being perpetrated repeatedly and over time. Nursing home and assisted-living facility residents with certain types of mental health issues can also be vulnerable to abuse for similar reasons.
Medication Complications and Insufficient Staff Training
Older adults also tend to be on many more routine medications than younger people, and their prescription drug regimens usually must be managed carefully. When staff members are not properly trained in drug administration or related matters, seniors in nursing homes and assisted-living facilities can suffer serious harm due to medication errors.
Physical Health Issues
Even when a person is fully competent and has no issues with any type of cognitive impairment, and even if they are on relatively few prescription medications, physical health issues can result in vulnerability.
Seniors in nursing homes and assisted-living facilities who require assistance with activities of daily living like bathing or dressing, or eating or who have mobility issues are more likely to suffer serious injuries when facilities are understaffed or when there are incidents of passive or willful neglect. These kinds of residents can suffer injuries like broken bones and bed sores due to negligence, and they might also experience forms of intentional physical and emotional abuse from caregivers who are supposed to be providing support, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Contact an Orange County Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Attorney
It is critical to find a nursing home or assisted living facility for an elderly parent that feels safe and where you can feel relatively certain that your elderly loved one will be receiving the quality of care they need and deserve based on their individual mental and physical health and needs. While there are often warning signs for poor-quality facilities, it can be difficult to identify a facility with potential problems when there is no history of abuse or neglect and no history of safety violations. It is important to remember that injuries resulting from nursing home negligence and abuse can occur anywhere, and there are many different reasons that those injuries can happen. In most circumstances, the facility will be liable for harm, and an Orange County nursing home abuse and neglect lawyer can help you file a claim. Contact the Walton Law Firm today for more information about how we can assist you.
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New Study Says Violence is Common in Long-Term Care Facilities