The concept of being liable for someone else’s self-neglect is a difficult one. After all, if adults become sick or hurt due to their own actions, shouldn’t they be responsible? The elderly sometimes require in-depth care, and when they’re allowed to neglect themselves, caretakers are held responsible.
Self-Neglect: What Is It?
A person over 65 who is suffering from an aging-related condition that affects their cognitive and physical abilities needs special care to stay clean and safe. Because some seniors are unwilling or unable to do things for themselves, they need caretakers. If an older person doesn’t keep themselves fed, clean, and out of danger, they’re considered to be neglecting themselves.
Is Self-Neglect Dangerous?
In most cases, self-neglect starts small. For instance, an older person may forget to take a bath, or they may not want to get up in the morning. With time, however, neglect becomes more severe, until it turns dangerous or deadly. The dangers of leaving seniors unsupervised cannot be underestimated, and that’s why it’s so important for caretakers to stay vigilant.
Who’s to Blame for a Senior’s Self-Neglect?
If an elderly family member lives in a nursing home, staff members should be held liable for their self-neglect. Staff are to be trained to provide proper care, which includes seeing self-neglect and intervening. When a loved one becomes a victim, the facility must be held responsible. A nursing home abuse lawyer in Tucson, AZ, can hold the right party accountable.
Call Today
The firm’s attorneys work to help families protect their older members and hold nursing facilities responsible for self-neglect. If your relative has been injured, you’ll need help from a nursing home abuse lawyer in Tucson, AZ. Call today to schedule a consultation with an attorney.
