California Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Blog
Why is it so important for family and friends of elderly nursing home residents to be able to recognize and report signs of abuse or neglect? In short, there are various circumstances in which residents themselves cannot, or simply choose not to, report abuse. Our San Diego nursing home neglect lawyers can explain these phenomena in more detail, and we can speak with you today if you have concerns about an elderly loved one’s health or safety in a Bay Area nursing home.
Inability to Report Abuse Due to Cognitive Impairment
Many older adults in Southern California nursing homes are residing in these facilities because they need a high level of care associated with their cognitive impairment. Cognitive impairment among older adults can have different causes, including Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia or the result of a stroke.
When an older adult has a cognitive impairment, they simply may not be able to recognize their own abuse or neglect, or to report it.
Fear of Retaliation from Residents Who Can Report But Choose Not to Do So
Among nursing home residents who are able to recognize and report abuse, it is especially common that incidents of abuse, neglect, and other forms of mistreatment go unreported because the resident chooses not to report. Why is there a lack of reporting?
According to an article in USA Today, and arising out of a study conducted by the Long Term Care Community Coalition, the major reason is a fear of retaliation. According to one of the lead researchers of the study, “there are real fears here,” among elderly residents, “that, at the end of the day, there’s going to be retaliation.” Residents fear that they will be subject to even more egregious abuse or neglect, or that staff members may retaliate in other ways, such as through humiliation tactics or withholding food or care. As such, you should never assume that an injury is merely the result of an accident, even if your elderly loved one insists there is no abuse or neglect occurring — they may be too fearful to report the abuse or neglect.
Contact Our San Diego Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Attorneys for Assistance Filing a Claim Against a San Diego Nursing Facility
Much too often, family members and friends assume that an elderly parent or loved one who is residing in a nursing home is safe solely because the resident is not making any allegations of poor treatment or abuse. However, as we discussed above, it is extremely common for older adults in San Diego nursing homes to avoid reporting abuse or neglect because they fear retaliation from staff members or more broadly from the facility. In addition, due to various types of cognitive impairment, many nursing home residents simply are not able to report abuse themselves, even if they recognize it and want to report it. Accordingly, it is often up to family members and friends to be able to recognize and report signs of abuse, neglect, or other mistreatment. If you have concerns about an elderly loved one’s safety, a San Diego nursing home abuse attorney can help you. Contact Nursing Home Law Group today for assistance.
See Related Blog Posts:
Brain Injuries and Dementia Risks in Sonoma County, California
At Least 11 Elderly Residents Rescued from Alleged Unlicensed Carson Care Homes
