Dementia's Link to Abuse
As our population ages, so do the number of people with memory, thinking and learning deficiencies. In fact, a September 2009 Bloomberg report stated that dementia would afflict 35.6 million people in 2010. That’s about 10 percent more than previously estimated. The most common type of dementia is Alzheimer’s and according to the Alzheimer’s Association, the state of Arizona has seen a 24 percent rise in cases of Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Often, those with irreversible dementia conditions exhibit problem behavior. Taking a proactive stance in managing these elderly individuals will keep them from hurting themselves or possibly others.
By contacting an Arizona nursing home abuse attorney, like those at Cullan & Cullan, you can have your questions answered about possible nursing home abuse and how to go about bringing a claim against any responsible parties.
Different Types of Abuse of Dementia Patients
Abuse comes in a variety of forms. None is more pleasant than the other, so as you place your loved one in a nursing home situation, be alert for the following signs of elderly abuse:
- Physical abuse
- Emotional abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Neglect and abandonment abuse
- Financial exploitation
Abuse Signs in the Dementia Patient
Two different signs exist in those elderly patients who have been abused. Those include:
- Frequent quarreling between the caregiver and the patient
- Personality or behavioral changes
The nursing home abuse attorneys at Cullan & Cullan would like to help you if you have a loved one in Arizona that may have been abused by a caregiver. Please contact our office today to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.