We never want the people we love to lose their independence, and they don’t want it either. Most elderly people will not admit to themselves or their families that the progress of infirmity is making it hard to take care of themselves. It is often up to their children to decide when the time has come.
It is rare that people are able to put their lives on hold to take care of parents or other aging loved ones at home. Nursing homes and other assisted-living facilities often come into play at these times. But these options are not without risks.
The two main concerns for safety in nursing homes are neglect and abuse. Neglect can cause problems for residents quickly, as bedsores or dehydration can compromise fragile bodies. Abuse can also cause physical harm, as well as emotional problems and financial losses.
A nursing home outside Chicago and two of its employees are being sued by the family of a 91-year-old resident suffering from dementia. A video on a social media platform shows the two caregivers teasing the resident as she struggled against them while wearing a hospital gown.
Nursing home staffers who engage in this sort of behavior may be guilty of criminal charges. But lawsuits brought in civil court can bring financial damages as well as the impetus to get nursing homes to care better for their patients.
An attorney can help review the evidence of nursing home abuse or neglect and advise on the best way forward. A lawsuit or settlement can resolve the matter and help fund improved care for the victims of poor nursing home care.
