If your loved one is suffering from dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, or any other unfortunate mental impairment, then you may have to send them to a memory care facility. Here, you expect that your loved one will receive long-term care that is in a safe and structured environment and that will set them with routines to lower their stress. What you do not expect is negligence or abuse to occur. But unfortunately, this is not unheard of. Follow along to find out why such elder abuse occurs and how a proficient California memory care facility abuse lawyer at Cowdrey & Jenkins LLP, can support you during this difficult time.
Why does memory care facility elder abuse commonly occur?
Signs of memory care facility elder abuse may not be immediately obvious. However, you must do everything in your power to detect these signs. And, you must always listen to your loved one’s complaints. Below are ways in which such elder abuse can be identified:
- Your loved one cannot explain why they fell.
- Your loved one cannot explain the cuts and bruises on their body.
- Your loved one cannot explain their sprains, dislocated joints, broken bones, or missing teeth.
- Your loved one complains about hunger or thirst.
- Your loved one is getting into physical or verbal altercations with the staff or other residents.
- You and your loved one cannot find their cash or other important possessions.
- You notice that your loved one has bedsores.
- You notice that your loved one has rope burns or strap abrasions.
- You notice that your loved one has a changed personality (i.e., anxious or depressed).
- You find your loved one wandering inside or outside the facility without supervision.
Does memory care facility elder abuse constitute a lawsuit?
You may file a lawsuit against negligent memory care facility staff if you reasonably believe, based on the above signs, that your loved one is experiencing abuse. To have a successful lawsuit, you should collect the following pieces of information, if possible:
- Photos and videos that point to abuse (i.e., your loved one’s injuries).
- Witness testimony that points to abuse.
- Financial records that point to abuse (i.e., missing cash or other assets).
- Recordings of conversations with the staff.
But before going through the process of filing a claim, you should first contact the Department of Social Services or local law enforcement so that your loved one can be removed from such abuse as soon as possible.
Then, you may proceed with retaining the services of a talented California elder abuse lawyer. We hold your loved one’s best interest as our top priority, and we will do everything in our power to seek the justice that they rightfully deserve. Contact our firm today.