Washington DC Injury Lawyer Blog
According to the latest figures, over 35 million people in the world are suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia. This estimate is about 10% more than what scientists projected several years ago.
One reason for the underestimation was that the increase in Alzheimer’s in developing countries had not been fully evaluated. Now, however, there are enough people in poorer nations living long enough for dementia to kick in. By 2050, the World Alzheimer Report says that some 115.4 million people will be suffering from Alzheimer’s.
Age, diabetes, obesity, and high cholesterol can increase the chances that a person may develop Alzheimer’s. In North America, the Alzheimer’s Association of the US says that over 5 million people are suffering from the disease. One in every eight people in the 65 and above age group and almost one in every two people in the over 85 age range has Alzheimer’s.
Dementia Patients in Washington DC Nursing Homes
With more people suffering from Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, nursing homes that agree to care for patients with this type of disease must make sure that they have the resources, experience, training, and staff to do a proper job.
Patients suffering from dementia may:
• Experience memory loss.
• May be prone to wandering.
• Have a hard time recognizing people.
• Be prone to inappropriate behaviors.
• Become violent.
• Forget people and places.
• Develop communication difficulties.
• Suffer from mood swings.
• Neglect their own care.
Dementia patients need specialized, more hands-on supervisory care than other nursing home residents. Nursing home patients with dementia may need protection from themselves and—depending on their condition and symptoms—other residents may need protection from them. Patients suffering from dementia are also at risk of becoming the victims of Washington DC nursing home abuse or neglect because they aren’t always aware of their surroundings or of what is happening to them.
If you suspect that your loved one is being abused or neglected, do not hesitate to contact our Washington DC nursing home negligence law firm immediately to request your free case evaluation. Nursing home neglect or abuse can cause serious injury to your loved one.
Report: 35 Million-Plus Worldwide Have Dementia, CBS2.com, September 21, 2009
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