Nursing Home Negligence: The Plight Of Society's Most Vulnerable Members

By Sharron Cantu


The older people in the community are sometimes unable to take proper care of themselves any more. In such instances, their family are expected to do so. But if the latter cannot, or decide not to, the other option is a care home. If they take this option, they need to be aware of the risk of Nursing Home Negligence.

The decision to place the elder relative in a home is not necessarily sinister or based on feelings of attrition. Some families are simply unable to care for a helpless person, due to their professional commitments or domestic environment. Where the older relative requires constant supervision or assistance with daily activities, it may not be possible to provide the necessary extent of care. Also, the symptoms of a person suffering from conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer's can overwhelm inexperienced or unqualified family members.

Entrusting strangers with the care of a grandparent or older relative is not easy, even if they are professional staff. On the other hand, some elderly people are in fact dumped in residential institutions, but regardless of how they ended up there, they are open to abuse or other minor offenses.

Nursing homes are sometimes associated with the latter, particularly the theft of private property or presents left by visiting relatives. Residents who for physical or mental reasons struggle to perform basic daily tasks pertaining to hygiene or nutrition are particularly at risk. They may also be unable to raise their concerns.

Staff morale in nursing institutions may not be high, due to the deteriorated or terminal condition of the patients. It takes a very patient, professional person to care for older or disabled people. There may also be the belief that the elderly are past their expiry date or of no significance in society, making the violation of their rights less serious. There are residents who never receive visitors. Others are treated harshly or told to stay silent by staff. Physically, residents are not able to retaliate, making them easier to abuse.

Broader society seldom casts an eye in the direction of the elderly. This makes negligence more difficult to highlight. The latter are not employed and they do not attend social functions, so they are not seen or heard. They have no access to private transport, and they may be so physically disabled that they cannot go anywhere independently. It is risky for them to leave the home.

The degradation suffered in cases of negligence is appalling, and is reprehensible to the rest of the community. Older people should be treated with dignity. The assault on their self-respect by neglect or abuse is officially sanctioned by the Californian legal system and their relatives may therefore institute legal proceedings against the culpable party.

Elderly people are important in society in that they have extensive life experience. They should be treated with the dignity and care that they deserve. They represent a priceless store of wisdom and advice, and it is essential for all those who care for them, whether relatives or staff in homes, to do so properly at all times.




About the Author:



Aucun commentaire:

Enregistrer un commentaire