Individuals with Bipolar Disorder in Assisted Living Centers
Bipolar disorder is a mental disorder that causes drastic changes in mood, energy, thoughts, and behavior. Bipolar may cause a person to exhibit manic temperaments, or extreme highs in their mood, and it can also cause depression and very low moods. In some cases, a mixture of both extremes is noticeable. Mental and mood disorders such as bipolar disorder can have a severe effect on an individual’s livelihood, affecting their lives so drastically that it becomes hard for them to function in their everyday lives. Sometimes mood changes are so subtle that they are often un-noticed, and as a result, bipolar disorder can easily be misdiagnosed or missed altogether, putting the individual in a harmful situation for themselves and others.
With these types of behavioral issues, it is possible for your loved one to be put in a situation where they are neglected or even abused by staff members. With issues such as impaired judgment, it leaves them susceptible to physical or emotional abuse from staff. Since the disease affects memory and the individual cannot recall certain events, assisted living center abusers pick these residents as their victims. Although dealing with a person who has a memory problem is troublesome, it does not give the caregiver the right to abuse them.
Symptoms and signs of mania associated with bipolar disorder include:
- Unusually optimistic or extremely irritable mood
- Unrealistic beliefs about one’s abilities
- Very little sleep but extremely high energy
- Thoughts racing
- Lack of concentration
- Impaired judgment
- Impulsiveness
- Recklessness
- Delusions
Symptoms of depression or extreme lows associated with bipolar disorder include:
- Feelings of hopelessness or emptiness
- Irritability
- Inability to experience pleasure
- Fatigue or loss of energy
- Sluggishness
- Weight changes
- Lack of concentration
- Thoughts of death or suicide
There are many treatments available for individuals with bipolar disorder. Medication for bipolar disorder is very important, however, there is also therapy to help individuals cope with and control the disorder, possibly alleviating some of the difficulty of the disorder. Regular exercise, proper sleeping and eating habits and keeping stress to the lowest possible level can all help to combat bipolar disorder.
Living in an assisted living center could be very difficult for an individual. The added trouble of living with a disorder such as bipolar disorder makes it even more difficult for your loved ones. They should not have to suffer from any form of abuse or negligence while living in an assisted living center.
Contact an Arizona Nursing Home Advocate Attorney
Any form of abuse is unacceptable especially if the patient suffers from a difficult disease such as bipolar disorder. You and your family have rights. If you suspect that a family with some sort of disease that causes behavioral problems has suffered from a form of abuse, contact an Arizona Assisted living center Advocacy Attorney in the Maricopa County area. Damages can be collected for their emotional and physical suffering. For more information see www.nursinghomeadvocates.com.
