Everyone who resides in an assisted living facility, a nursing home or another long-term care setting is vulnerable to abuse and/or neglect at the hands of their caregivers. This is one of the primary reasons why it’s important for the loved ones of residents to understand how to spot the signs of unlawful mistreatment so that they can be addressed immediately in the event that they become apparent.
With that said, memory care residents tend to be particularly vulnerable members of long-term living situations for a number of reasons. As a result, the need to educate oneself about preventing abuse and about the signs of abuse and neglect are heightened when one’s loved one who is residing in a long-term care facility suffers from dementia, Alzheimer’s or other significant conditions that cause memory impairment.
Unique challenges and opportunities
Memory care residents are not always reliable narrators. As a result, it can be understandably easy for loved ones to dismiss the concerns voiced by a memory care resident as confusion or another compromised mental state. Would-be abusers may take advantage of this reality by telling alternative tales about what “really” happened that the resident must be trying to communicate.
It can also be very difficult for memory care residents to advocate on behalf of their own interests. Depending on how advanced their medical condition is, they may understand that something is wrong, withdraw emotionally or “act out” but may be unable to vocalize what is happening to them.
Especially in the case of residents who are particularly vulnerable, loved ones shouldn’t hesitate to seek legal guidance if they suspect something is wrong. Seeking feedback doesn’t commit a family member to taking action and it can help them to make more informed decisions about their rights and options.
