When you have a loved one living in a nursing home, you hope they get the best care possible and always feel safe and comfortable. Unfortunately, older adults residing in long-term care facilities are at a higher risk for anxiety disorders, according to the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. If you worry that your family member in a nursing home may be suffering from anxiety, it’s important to keep an eye out for any symptoms.
Your loved one may experience anxiety from pain, trauma, or even abuse or neglect. New York law requires caregivers to honor the rights of nursing home residents, one of which is to be free from abuse and neglect. If you suspect your family member’s anxiety stems from the negligent behavior of a caregiver or other employee, you may want to contact us at Dalli & Marino, LLP, to help you seek the justice you deserve.
What Does Anxiety Look Like in Nursing Home Residents?
Anxiety can present itself in many ways depending on the cause and the individual’s environment. Your family member may not act like themselves or show some of the following symptoms:
- Appearing nervous, tense, or restless
- Increased heart rate
- Anticipating danger or doom
- Taking quick, short breaths
- Excessive sweating
- Feeling tired or weak
- Uncontrollable fear or worry
- Insomnia
- Gastrointestinal issues
- Problems concentrating
- Avoiding activities or topics that may cause anxiety
If your family member is displaying some or all of these symptoms, it may be a good idea to think about any potential pain, trauma, or injuries that could have caused this anxiety and work with your loved one’s caregiver to set up a treatment plan and avoid long-term problems.
Why Would Nursing Home Residents Have Anxiety?
Anxiety can present itself in nursing home residents for many reasons. Your loved one may be concerned about their health or finances or feel lonely. Research also states that phobias in older adults contribute heavily to anxiety. Your family member in a nursing home may have anxiety from the following:
- Illnesses: Sometimes, anxiety could be an effect of a medical condition. For example, heart disease, diabetes, and chronic pain are illnesses that could cause anxiety in your loved one due to life-long risk and monitoring.
- Trauma: If your loved one experienced a traumatic event like a fall, they might develop a phobia of falling or whatever caused their trauma. Nursing homes are responsible for preventing fall risks and monitoring residents so that they stay safe.
- Pain: Pain from an illness can cause anxiety surrounding basic tasks like bathing and getting dressed. It is up to the nursing home to provide the correct dosages of your loved one’s medications to reduce discomfort.
- Abuse and Neglect: Your family member may have anxiety due to the abuse or neglect of a caregiver or other employee. Your loved one has the right to be free of such treatment and seek help without fear of retaliation or further abuse.
If your loved one has not acted like themselves or has expressed worries about an injury, illness, or caregiver’s behavior, it may be worth a closer look, especially if the nursing home is neglecting their duty to care for your family member.
How Can a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Help?
When looking into your loved one’s anxiety and the cause, you may discover that it results from a caregiver or other employee abusing or neglecting your family member. This is absolutely tragic to deal with, and the at-fault party should be held accountable. In this case, you have the right to reach out to our professional legal team for help in all aspects of your case, which include the following:
- Listening to your story and documenting important details
- Gathering evidence like medical reports and records and witness testimony
- Helping you understand your case’s worth
- Using knowledge of the law and valuable resources to build a strong case
- Negotiating for your deserved compensation
- Taking your case to court
We understand the strength it takes to pursue legal action when your loved one is anxious. Our lawyers are here to support you, so you do not have to go through it alone.
Reach Out to an Award-Winning Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer at Dalli & Marino, LLP
Ensuring your loved one is safe and relaxed in their long-term facility is your top priority, but something may happen like an injury, illness, or neglect, that results in your family member feeling anxious. If you or your loved one have any concerns about an employee’s behavior, you can contact our knowledgeable legal team.
With over 25 years of experience, Dalli & Marino, LLP, is well equipped to handle any nursing home abuse case. We are dedicated to fighting for nursing home residents’ rights and the compensation you deserve. For a free, confidential case evaluation, call us at (888) 465-8790 or fill out our contact form.
We also speak Spanish.
