Taking care of the elderly is not an easy task. It is demanding, both physically and emotionally. It’s not something that anyone should take lightly.
In fact, many experts note that it can be stressful and frustrating. Stress, in particular, can often lead to outbursts and actions that are outside of someone’s normal nature. A person who is typically quiet and kind, for instance, could become aggressive and angry when they get stressed out.
In some cases, this can also lead to neglect. Someone may not know how to deal with this frustration and stress properly. In some ways, it’s their fight or flight syndrome kicking in. It can lead to actual abuse when they lash out at the elderly, or it can lead to neglect when they simply start avoiding them to take a step back from the situation.
This may be a natural response, but it is definitely not acceptable in an elderly care facility or assisted living home. Workers need to be patient and calm. They need to prepare themselves for the challenges of the job and they need to understand how to react to them. When things get tough, they can in no way take that out on the residents — through either abuse or neglect.
Do you suspect that the workers in your loved one’s facility are not giving them the care that they need and deserve? If so, you need to understand all of the legal rights you have and what steps you can take to make sure that this does not keep happening any longer.
