Emotional Distress Among Individuals in Assisted Living Centers
One of the few things that most people do not think about is the effects that living in an assisted living center can have on an individual’s mental or emotional state. For many individuals, losing their independence is very difficult to withstand. This difficulty can lead to bouts with depression or some other emotional distress. If an individual suffers from depression or other mental or behavioral issues due to the difficulty of requiring assistance and losing their independence, it is the responsibility of the facility to ensure their care of the problem.
Depression is not the only issue that may occur. There are other emotional issues that can occur as a result of an individual realizing that they cannot do many of the things they used to be able to do on their own. This emotional distress can be difficult for the individual to battle and therefore the individual should receive the proper care they deserve to correct or reverse this issue.
There are many noticeable signs when an individual is suffering from depression or other types of emotional distress in both young and elderly individuals alike. The National Institute of Mental Health provides information on some of these symptoms which may include:
- Fatigue or decrease in energy
- Feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness or helplessness
- Insomnia
- Loss of interest
- Overeating or appetite loss
- Sad, anxious or feelings of emptiness
- Suicidal thoughts or tendencies
In most cases, these symptoms can go completely unnoticed for various reasons. Most people believe that there is no immediate danger and there simply is nothing wrong with the individual. This can often be the decision of a caretaker taking care of your loved ones in an Arizona assisted living center. As a result of negligence on the part of the facility and its staff, very often, signs of depression can go unnoticed or can be misdiagnosed as some other issue.
Your loved ones should not have to suffer with bouts of depression as a result of the difficulty of losing their independence and requiring the assistance of an assisted living center. There is no excuse for negligence on the part of the facility and your loved ones should receive the highest level of care possible, especially in their mental state of depression. If you suspect your loved ones have been neglected and they are suffering from some form of depression, you are entitled to compensation for any emotional of physical damages this negligence may cause.
Contact an Arizona Nursing Home Advocate Attorney
Any form of negligence is unacceptable especially if the patient suffers from a difficult disease such as depression. You and your family have rights. If you suspect that your loved one has suffered from a form of negligence and they are not receiving the proper care for their depression, contact an Arizona Attorney in the Maricopa County area. Damages can be collected for their emotional and physical suffering as a result of their depression and the lack of care given to them. For more information see www.nursinghomeadvocates.com.
