Dementia Patients Are Easy Targets for Chicago Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect
According to a University of California study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, many dementia patients are at risk of being mistreated by caregivers. The study took a look at 129 people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or a related disorder with caregivers in private homes.
According to researchers:
• 47% of the participants had been mistreated.
• 13% of the abuse was physical.
• 42% suffered from psychological abuse.
• 14% were the victims of caregiver neglect.
Risk factors among caregivers that increased the chance of mistreatment included depression, high levels of anxiety, social isolation, and the sense that caring for the dementia patient was a burden. Persons with dementia who were verbally abusive or physical abusive had a greater risk of being mistreated.
However, this is not to say that any type of patient abuse is ever justified for any reason—whether in a private setting or at an assisted living facility. Many dementia patients cannot be held responsible for their words or actions because they are not even fully aware of what they are doing or saying.
Patients with Alzheimer’s, dementia, or other forms of mental illness need special care. It is important that caregivers and the nursing home workers tasked with providing that care are trained in dealing with the unique issues that come with working with these types of patients.
Unfortunately, many dementia patients are unable to report that they have become victims of Chicago, Illinois nursing home abuse or neglect. Many may not even aware that they are being physically harmed, verbally abused, sexually assaulted, or neglected.
Research on Mistreatment of People with Dementia by their Caregivers, Center of Excellence on Elder Abuse and Neglect
Related Web Resources:
Caregiver Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation (PDF)
Contact Chicago nursing home neglect and abuse attorney Steve Malman today.
