New Jersey Nursing Home Injury Lawyers: Alzheimer's Patient Abuse
Neglect and abuse of Alzheimer's patients in nursing homes happens more frequently than many people suspect.
Because of the way it damages the brain, Alzheimer's disease robs people of their memories and adversely affects their behavior. Because of the nature of the disease, nursing home residents with Alzheimer's are particularly vulnerable to abuse and neglect.
Wandering
Neglect and abuse of Alzheimer's patients can take many forms. Without proper security procedures, Alzheimer's residents can wander away from their ward or off the nursing home campus entirely. Because of the cognitive changes the disease causes, wandering patients are unable to find their way back and are at risk of injury from traffic, from falls and from exposure to the elements.
Physical Abuse and Neglect
It can be very difficult and frustrating to manage people with Alzheimer's. The disease robs victims of their ability to remember and follow instructions. Some staff members may lose their tempers and verbally or physically abuse an Alzheimer patient. Others may neglect the needs of people with Alzheimer's rather than engage with a difficult patient. Neither response meets the accepted standard of care.
The Proper Level of Care
Failure to properly diagnose Alzheimer's disease puts the person with Alzheimer's and others at risk. Residents with Alzheimer's require a higher level of care and supervision than the general nursing home population. Failure to provide this higher level of care can lead to accidents, injuries and even wrongful death.
If your loved one has Alzheimer's disease and has suffered from abuse or neglect at a nursing home, please contact an attorney at Dansky | Katz | Ringold | York. We represent clients in nursing home abuse cases throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania, including the South Jersey and Philadelphia areas.
