Chicago, IL—A large percentage of the individuals who occupy nursing homes in the U.S. suffer from some form of dementia, making it difficult for them to recall certain information and traumatic events. The World Health Organization (W.H.O.) reports that more than 55 million individuals worldwide live with dementia and there are roughly 10 million new cases recorded each year.
If your loved one suffers from dementia—a syndrome that is known to cause a person’s cognitive abilities to deteriorate, and you believe they have been abused or neglected by a nursing home staff member, our Chicago, IL nursing home abuse lawyers are here to help.
Dementia Facts You May Not Know
- According to the W.H.O., dementia “results from a variety of diseases and injuries that primarily or secondarily affect the brain.”
- Alzheimer’s currently serves as one of the most common forms of dementia. The W.H.O. estimates that 60-70 percent of the cases of dementia are categorized as Alzheimer’s.
- Dementia currently serves as “the seventh leading cause of death among all diseases and one of the major causes of disability and dependency among older people globally.”
Stages of Dementia
Dementia occurs in three stages, early, middle, and late. A brief overview of each stage is outlined below.
Early Stage Dementia
When a person enters the early stages of dementia, they might appear to be forgetful, lose track of time, or get lost in places that were always familiar to them, according to the W.H.O. The W.H.O. says this stage of dementia is sometimes overlooked because “the onset is gradual.”
Middle Stage Dementia
As a person’s dementia progresses, their cognitive abilities will begin to decline at a more rapid rate. For instance, they might forget something that happened recently or the names of the people they know. Communication may now be a difficult task for them, and they might begin to display behavior out of the norm. Some individuals who enter the middle stage of dementia might also need “help with personal care.”
Late Stage Dementia
According to the W.H.O., the “late stage of dementia is one of near total dependence and inactivity. Memory disturbances are serious, and the physical signs and symptoms become more obvious.” Some symptoms a person might experience during the late stage of dementia include:
- Being unaware of the time or place they are in.
- Inability to recognize friends or relatives.
- Trouble with walking.
- In need of assistance with caring for themselves.
- Behavioral changes that might involve a person becoming aggressive.
Statistics Show Residents with Dementia are More Susceptible to being Abused or Neglected
Statistics have shown that individuals who suffer from dementia are at a higher risk of being abused by nursing home staff members. This is partly because they are less likely to remember an incident or recall enough information to report the inappropriate behavior.
If you suspect that your loved one has been physically, emotionally, or sexually abused by a nursing home staff member and their condition makes it difficult or impossible for them to recall information, we suggest you contact one of your experienced Chicago, IL nursing home abuse attorneys.
At Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd., our lawyers will follow a series of steps to help you gather evidence to substantiate your claims given they are valid.
How our Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in Chicago Can Help You Prove Allegations
Although it may be clear to you that your loved one has been mistreated by one or more nursing home staffers, your case won’t stand in court if you aren’t able to gather the evidence needed to support your claims. For example, if you’re loved one was assaulted by someone who was working in the nursing home in which they reside, you’ll be expected to prove your loved one suffered an injury along with the cause of those injuries.
Gathering evidence has proven to be tricky as certain information requires permission to access, though our nursing home abuse attorneys have experience with this. Not only will we help you build your case given, but we will help your loved one fight for the justice they deserve.
Damages We Can Help Your Loved One Recover in their Nursing Home Abuse Case
In addition to recognizing the nursing home for allowing negligent behavior to occur, we can also assist your loved one with recovering damages to make up for their pain and suffering. To do this, we will need to file a complaint against the home. In the complaint, we can help identify the damages you’re likely entitled to. Some might include:
- Medical expenses if any were incurred as a result of the abuse
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Additional costs and/or losses
If you would like to speak with one of our skilled lawyers about a recent incident that occurred or how to hold a nursing home in Chicago liable for abuse, contact Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. at 1-312-384-1920.
You can contact Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. at:
221 North La Salle Drive, Suite 1100
Chicago, IL 60601
Phone: 1-312-384-1920
Website: www.dinizululawgroup.com
