Holding Accountable Those Who Neglect

An assisted-living facility exists somewhere between a traditional nursing home and independent living. The patients in these facilities typically live fairly independent lives, having their own apartments or other spaces and relying on the facility for meals and other services. Quite often, some level of medical care is offered by the facility or, at the very least, the people who live at the assisted-living facility have the comfort of knowing that there is medical assistance available nearby should they need it.

 

Abuse and Neglect

 

Even though an assisted-living facility doesn't provide the same level of care as does a traditional nursing home, they are still responsible for delivering the care that the elderly person is paying for. If you live at one of these facilities or if you have a loved one who lives at one of these facilities and you believe that there is neglect going on, you may want to consider contacting a lawyer. Then you can see if there's a chance that you could recover some of the funds that you have paid to the facility for the care you expected to receive.

 

A Common Problem

 

Nursing home abuse and neglect are likely more common problems than most people believe. According to the National Center on Elder Abuse, there are over 20,000 complaints made to facilities every year. Sometimes these complaints result in further action but, more often, they never make it to the authorities. According to an article in NewsJunkyJournal.com, about one in every 14 incidents makes it to the attention of the authorities.

 

An assisted-living facility can carry a bit more risk of negligence and abuse with it than does a traditional nursing home for several reasons. To begin with, the level of care at a traditional nursing home is not expected at an assisted living facility, so residents are more likely to be left alone when they may need a little bit of extra attention. Being neglected in this way can be every bit as dangerous as being abused.

 

Nursing home abuse attorneys can help people who have suffered neglect in assisted living facilities in the same way that they help people who have suffered neglect in nursing homes. If you do have a valid complaint on your hands, there's a chance that you could win an award from a jury or that you may be offered a settlement by the facility that can help you get compensated for the money spent on care you never received.