Personality changes and aggressive behavior in what had once been kind and convivial individuals is one hallmark of dementia from Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and other degenerative, neurological disorders.

When these behaviors are unleashed toward their fellow patients, injuries and even deaths can result. Learn more about how to keep your vulnerable loved ones safer when living in skilled nursing facilities and long-term care centers.

What are the staffing ratios?

Too few health care staff assigned to too many residents is a recipe for disaster.  Consider that over 900,000 people diagnosed with some form of dementia live in about 5,000 facilities designed with locked wings and memory care units. You think they are safe. 

But when there aren’t enough staff on duty to treat their patients and observe their interactions with one another, violence can erupt between patients.

Safety begins with screening

Each patient entering the facility should be assessed and evaluated for the potential level of threat they pose to other patients, staff and visitors to the facility. Some prospective residents may prove to be much of a risk to effectively meet their needs while protecting other patients from their outbursts and anger.

What happens after an incident?

Something could truly be a one-off, a singular incident that happened due to a confluence of elements that is likely never to occur again. But the safety of the victim should be primary and guide the repercussions and path forward.

In the most serious cases, family members and survivors of the victim will need to launch an investigation into the circumstances that led to your loved one’s injuries or death.