Learn The Risk Factors For Assisted Living Abuse

Attorneys committed to advocating for victims

We place our loved ones in assisted living facilities expecting that they will be in a safe environment with access to the services they need. Unfortunately, for too many Georgia families, that's not the reality. Assisted living abuse and neglect happen far too often, and these acts can have devastating consequences.

Abuse and neglect can happen in any assisted living facility, but some situations carry more risk than others. Learn these risk factors to help keep your loved one safe, and contact us if you have any suspicion that your loved one may be a victim of abuse.

Understaffing. If an assisted living facility does not have enough staff to take care of its residents, the potential for neglect is high. Moreover, a facility that is understaffed may be less discerning in its hiring and training of staff. Dangerous staff members may be hired without a background check, or undertrained staff may be entrusted with high-priority tasks such as medication administration. Finally, high stress levels among staff are strongly correlated with potential abuse.
Isolation. Part of the purpose of an assisted living facility, as opposed to a nursing home, is to provide residents with a high degree of independence. However, not all residents actually have the opportunity to take advantage of that independence. Seniors who are isolated from family, friends and the community are at elevated risk of abuse.
Cognitive Health. Residents with certain medical conditions such as Alzheimer’s or dementia are more likely to be victims of abuse. That’s because they’re perceived as more vulnerable victims. They are less likely to be able to remember details about what happened, and even if they can, they may have trouble communicating.
Environment. There may be a link between the overall level of cleanliness and maintenance of the assisted living facility and the risk of abuse. In a dirty, poorly maintained facility, the staff may not be properly trained or supervised, or they may simply be overworked. Inappropriate behavior on the part of staff may be tolerated. In short, if it looks as though the staff members aren’t responsible for their workplace, they may also act irresponsibly toward the people in their care.
Access to Wealth. Residents in assisted living facilities with substantial financial resources are often more susceptible to exploitation. This can come in many forms, including unauthorized use of their money or assets, coercion into modifying wills or financial documents, and scams specifically designed to siphon their wealth. Financial abuse often goes unnoticed because it can be discreetly executed and masked under the pretense of helpful management of the resident's assets. Family members and caretakers should closely monitor financial transactions to prevent exploitation. And if family members notice any financial irregularities, they should immediately contact our Georgia nursing home abuse law firm.
Physical Disabilities or Additional Needs. Residents with physical disabilities or intensive additional needs are particularly vulnerable in assisted living facilities. These dependencies can make it difficult for them to perform daily tasks without assistance, potentially leading to neglect if the facility is understaffed or lacks properly trained personnel. Furthermore, their inability to independently address or report abuse can increase their risk of becoming victims.

If you have any reason to suspect that your loved one may have been abused or neglected in an assisted living facility, you need to contact Johnson Greer Law Group. We specialize in helping victims of abuse in long-term care facilities.

Remember, the sooner you get an attorney on your side, the sooner we can get to work to keep your loved one safe and help you rebuild your life. Call (866) 904-6653 today to schedule your free and confidential consultation.