Our nursing home abuse attorneys represent families and their residents in a variety of cases. Whether it is sexual, physical, or emotional abuse, all are forms of nursing home neglect.  Often times, cases are brought to our experienced Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. team by concerned family members who suspect abuse or have seen warning signs of abuse arise. We have significant experience in these types of cases and have a top team of attorneys and legal staff that specialize in nursing home neglect and abuse.

For residents who suffer from dementia, abuse is quite common in a nursing home. In fact, recent studies have shown dementia patients are more likely to suffer some sort of abuse than patients with other diseases. Dementia is a memory disease that can be 10 times more serve than Alzheimer’s disease. With aging it is expected that memory loss will occur, however, dementia is beyond what a normal person should suffer while getting older. Many of times a patient who suffers from dementia and is abused, will not remember or cannot recall the incident.

Buckfire & Buckfire P.C  can assist in your legal needs if your loved one suffers from Dementia and is being abused in a Michigan nursing home. It is unacceptable that your loved one suffers from physical, emotional, or any form of sexual abuse. The nursing home is liable for both the mental and physical injuries suffered due to the disrespect from staff members or other residents.

Why Are Dementia Patients At Risk For Abuse in Michigan Nursing Home?

Dementia is permanent and progressively worsens in a rapid amount of time. It is a mental illness that causes hallucinations, memory loss, delirium, delusions and severe emotional changes. The psychosis state usually lasts a few days or even a few weeks. Patients can become argumentative or can be in a sedative state, therefore, physicians, staff members, or other residents who abuse these types of residents choose them because of these characteristics. These residents are unable to properly communicate the abuse and negligence they suffer.

Signs of Abuse Among Nursing Home Residents With Dementia

Unfortunately prevention is not always possible, but being aware of signs of abuse can help your loved ones with Dementia in Michigan nursing homes. Below are the different types of abuse and signs that indicate that abuse may be happening to your loved one.

Signs of Physical Abuse:

  • Welts
  • Swelling
  • Cuts
  • Scrapes
  • Bite marks
  • Bedsores
  • Swelling around extremities

Signs of Emotional Abuse:

  • Detachment
  • Depression
  • Isolation among others
  • Crying
  • Sudden Mood Changes

Signs of Sexual Abuse:

  • Does not like to be touched
  • Bruising near rectal region
  • Injuries near or in the genital area
  • Bruising between the thighs

Another form of abuse besides emotional, physical, and sexual abuse can include financial exploitation. Patients with severe mental illness like dementia might be more willing to sign away life documents and money to strangers.

Preventing Sexual Abuse of Dementia Residents

Even though most nursing homes staff undertakes background checks, which should reveal the existence of any prior crimes, these background checks are usually limited in scope and may not pull up convictions in other states. Sexual abuse in the nursing home setting can be committed by staff members, other residents or on occasion by visitors. In cases where sexual abuse has been performed by a staff member, the facility may take the position that it should not be held liable for the criminal conduct of its employee, if such criminal conduct was never authorized by the nursing home.  This act of abuse is unacceptable and the nursing home is responsible for proper supervision of their residents and appropriate behavior from their staff.

Contact a Michigan Nursing Home Attorney to Discuss Dementia Abuse

There is no way to prevent dementia, and while there is no cure, medications can help control the symptoms. That does not mean your family member should be abused. Dementia itself is a horrible disease that can hurt your family, as it is worse than many other memory diseases. You and your family do not need to suffer more because your family member was sexually, emotionally or physically abused.  Contact us directly to speak with one of our experienced attorneys regarding dementia resident abuse in Michigan nursing homes. We will start working on your case immediately and seek the compensation you deserve.

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