Dementia Makes Elders More Susceptible to Abuse
March 7, 2016Dementia is a growing concern among the U.S. population of aging Boomers. The Alzheimer’s Association reports that one in every 3 seniors dies with some form of dementia. Dementia can be a mild or a major cognitive disorder. The facts reveal that seniors who suffer from major dementia are at higher risk for elder abuse. Florida Nursing Home Abuse Attorney Jodat Law Group will take a stand against this unfortunate type of crime.
According to the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA), approximately half of the people over the age of 85 and 5.1 million people 65 and older are suffering from some form of dementia. Seniors with dementia are more susceptible to abuse, and researchers revealed that a shocking 47% of participants with dementia suffered mistreatment from their caregivers.
A fact sheet published by the University of California Center of Excellence on Elder Abuse and Neglect states that:
- By 2030, approximately 7.7 million people will have Alzheimer’s Disease; that number will increase to 16 million by 2050.
- 3 different international studies found overall rates of abuse by caregivers of people with dementia to range from 34% to 62%.
- 20% of caregivers said they were afraid they would become violent with the seniors with dementia in their care.
- 60% of caregivers had been verbally abusive to elders with dementia as found in one study.
- 5 to 10% of caregivers admitted that they were physically abusive to people in their care with dementia.
Risk Factors for Elders with Dementia
Certain factors associated with an elderly person increase the risk of abuse, although in no way excuse it:
- Severity of the elder’s dementia
- Social isolation (elder and caregiver are alone)
- Elder’s role in relation to the caregiver at an earlier time in life
- History of violence in the home
- Elder’s tendency toward physical or verbal aggression
Risk factors for abuse among caregivers for people with dementia include:
- Substance abuse
- Depression
- Inability to deal with stress
- Lack of support
- Perception that the job of caring for the elderly person is burdensome with little reward
Signs of Abuse in Elders with Dementia
Elderly people with severe dementia are often incapable of reporting abuse, and may not even be fully aware it is occurring. It is up to their loved ones to look for signs of nursing home abuse and neglect, which may include:
- Cuts, bruises, burns, or broken bones
- Marks and abrasions on the wrists, or other signs of overuse of restraints
- Broken eyeglasses
- Malnutrition or dehydration
- Bed sores
- Dirty clothing and poor personal hygiene
- Unsanitary living conditions
Florida Nursing Home Abuse Attorney
Our elders deserve courtesy, respect, kindness, and the best quality of care. Do not hesitate to hire an attorney if you suspect your relative has been the victim of abuse or neglect in a nursing home.
If you believe that your elderly loved one has been abused in a nursing home, contact us for a free consultation. As a Florida nursing home abuse attorney, Jodat Law Group is committed to helping elderly victims and their families in Bradenton, Sarasota, Tampa and Venice.