Violence in Facilities

A recent dementia healthcare facility located in Montana has been facing criticism for failing to protect residents. Violence is prevalent and risks harming residents. Many residents admitted are becoming a severe problem. These residents have dementia. Staff must be trained to handle behaviors from this deadly disease which damages the brain.

Dementia affects different parts of the brain, affecting an individual’s sense of reason, actions, language, and social behavior. These behaviors can become violent and deadly, and a recent study has shown that demented residents are especially likely to be involved in altercations because of this fatal disease.

The brutal manner of this disease not only puts the individual at risk who has the disease but also those who are around the disease. Those who need additional help need additional care, and the cost to provide it is outrageous. Therefore, this leads to individuals residing at a care facility that unfortunately cannot give them the proper care.  Employees then have a more challenging time training and assessing these residents, and this allows problems like violence to occur.

People with dementia and other types of brain-eating disorders tend to lash out instead of expressing their pain, fear, or discomfort. Lashing out puts others at risk and causes violence to occur throughout the facility. Individuals with dementia will verbally/physically harass other residents or employees. Residents are constantly being left alone with one another; there isn’t enough staff qualified to help the residents who need it, and individuals who reside or work at the facility are then put at risk. Facilities refuse to make a systemic change and prevent the worst from occurring to their staff or residents.