Considering the Right Factors: Giroux & Associates’ Advice on Choosing a Caregiver for Your Elderly Loved One
Caring for an elderly or disabled loved one can put a tremendous amount of strain on the caregiver. A Tampa nursing home neglect lawyer can explain some of the warning signs and risk factors for elder abuse and neglect.
Choosing a Family Caregiver
Even with the best of intentions, not everyone is cut out for providing long-term care for a sick or elderly family member. It’s important to take an honest look at some of the risk factors that could lead to a lapse in judgment and elder abuse. They include:
- Individuals with a history of depression or anxiety;
- Lack of a support system;
- Lack of respite care or family members who intend to “go it alone;”
- Substance abuse issues; or
- Caregivers who view their role as a burden or in a negative light.
A Tampa nursing home neglect attorney can discuss other warning signs to be aware of when choosing a family caregiver. If you suspect your loved one has suffered abuse or neglect, it’s important to get help.
Additionally, you must have a realistic understanding of the level of care your love one needs. If your loved one needs round the clock care, has severe dementia or another illness that requires a lot of care, it may be more than one caregiver can handle. Sometimes abuse and neglect is an unintentional byproduct of a family member taking on more than they can handle.
Choosing a Nursing Home Facility
Just like choosing a home caregiver, it’s important to do your homework if you’ve made the decision to go forward with nursing home placement. A Tampa nursing home neglect attorney can discuss factors that might lead to abuse and neglect such as:
- Inadequate staff to resident ratios;
- Overcrowding; and
- Prior incidents of abuse and neglect.
To discuss your options in choosing a caregiver or if you suspect elder abuse or neglect, contact a skilled Tampa nursing home neglect lawyer. To make an appointment with the law offices of Peter Giroux, call (727) 895-5399.