As family members grow older, they may need special care from a certified professional or facility. Alzheimer’s and dementia are two conditions that require dedicated, experienced attention by qualified caregivers. Sadly, a caregiver who appears to be qualified for elder care may not be equipped to assist patients with Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Inappropriate care for these conditions can cause harm to elderly patients. If this happened to your loved one, you have a right to hold the liable parties accountable. Our attorneys handle cases regarding lack of appropriate care for Alzheimer’s and dementia patients in Baltimore.
When you call Brown & Barron, you’ll receive afree, no-obligation case review.
Injury Compensation You Could Recover
If your loved one suffered a lack of appropriate care at a nursing home, it is possible to recover damages for the pain and losses experienced. Recoverable damages are intended to compensate the plaintiff for the abuse or negligence they endured.
The types of damages you could seek for your family in a nursing home negligence case include:
- Medical treatment: If your loved one was injured due to a nursing home staff’s lack of care, you could recover the out-of-pocket medical expenses their injuries incurred. This includes any hospitalizations, doctor’s appointments, medications, or medical supplies. In addition, if the injury requires treatment in the future after the claim has been settled, you can include future medical expenses in your claim.
- Pain and suffering: If the damages your loved one sustained due to the lack of care are painful, you could add pain and suffering damages to your claim. This includes any physical discomfort, anguish, or pain that is ongoing or felt immediately after the injury occurred.
- Emotional distress: If the injury caused your loved one to experience any mental health issues, you can include emotional distress damages in your claim. This includes any conditions such as anxiety, depression, sleep issues, or post-traumatic stress disorder.
Pain and suffering and emotional distress are considered non-economic damages—these are subjective losses not associated with a verified monetary amount. Our team at Brown & Barron will assign value to these damages and add them to your economic damage to arrive at a fair case value.
Then, we will fight for you to reach a fair settlement that covers these expenses and losses. If a settlement cannot be reached, we are prepared to fight on your behalf in court.
Get in touch with a lack of appropriate care for Alzheimer’s and dementia patients lawyer serving Baltimore, 410-547-0202 for a free case evaluation.
What Are Alzheimer’s and Dementia?
Alzheimer’sis a degenerative brain disease that commonly affects the elderly. Alternatively, dementia is not a disease but rather a term to describe a group of symptoms. Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia.
Dementia
As theMayo Clinicoutlines, dementia generally defines a class of conditions in which mental abilities—particularly memory—are severely hindered. It can also affect language, problem-solving, and other thinking abilities. Abnormal brain changes occur that reduce thinking skills, cognitive ability, feelings, behavior, and independent function.
Symptoms of dementia include issues with:
- Short-term memory
- Keeping track of personal items such as a phone, purse, or wallet
- Remembering obligations, such as paying bills or attending doctor’s appointments
Dementia is a progressive disease that starts with few symptoms and gets more severe over time. Still, treatments are available for those who suffer from dementia. Early diagnosis and treatment can improve the quality of life for dementia patients.
Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer’s is a common cause of dementia in older adults. As the disease progresses, cognitive function increasingly worsens. Alzheimer’s patients can lose their ability to perform tasks, remember details of their life, or recognize loved ones. The greatest known risk factor is aging. The majority of people who suffer from Alzheimer’s are 65 years and older.
Symptoms of Alzheimer’s include:
- Difficulty remembering new information
- Disorientation
- Mood and behavioral changes
- Unfounded suspicions about loved ones
- Difficulty speaking
It is typical for people with Alzheimer’s to have trouble doing everyday tasks, such as cooking, paying bills, or driving. As the disease progresses, people with Alzheimer’s can also become violent or angry. It is not common for people with Alzheimer’s to recognize their own symptoms.
Contact Our Nursing Home Neglect Lawyers in Baltimore
The decision to move a loved one into a nursing home is a difficult choice. Finding the proper care for a family member with Alzheimer’s disease can be especially emotionally taxing, and learning that a caregiver has been negligent is devastating.
Our nursing home abuse & neglect attorneys at Brown & Barron have seen the pain these circumstances can cause, and we are here to support you and your family as you seek justice in Baltimore. We are available 24/7 to discuss your case.
Contact Brown & Barron online today to schedule a free case review with a lack of appropriate care for Alzheimer’s and dementia patients lawyer serving Baltimore.
What Is Proper Care for People With Alzheimer’s and Dementia?
Due to the degenerative nature of Alzheimer’s disease, patients may require supplemental and even around-the-clock care to help with daily activities.
Qualified caregivers should exhibit patience and empathy for people with Alzheimer’s, as well as in-depth knowledge of the disease and the needs of those affected. In nursing homes, someone should be helping Alzheimer’s patients with the tasks they cannot complete themselves.
Signs an Alzheimer’s or Dementia Patient Isn’t Receiving Appropriate Care
Inappropriate Alzheimer’s and dementia care will look very similar to typical nursing home neglect. For example, a patient who is not being cared for properly may appear malnourished, sick, and unclean. You may notice their condition worsening or see signs that they are not receiving the necessary medication.
In addition, a caregiver who is not providing their Alzheimer’s and dementia patients with appropriate care may act stressed or irritable.