Ken Hassman asked:


Of all the challenges that life has thrown me, I have found that caring for my bipolar brother has been the hardest. Not only has he been diagnosed with depression and bipolar mania, but also with borderline personality disorder, as well as narcissism disorder.

How do these all play against one another? Initially my brother was hypermanic. If you started out at a street corner together, on your way to the subway, by the time you had taken your first 10 steps he would be half-way down the block. He would be so wrapped in his own mental world, he would not even notice you were not next to him. Arguments were common in discussions with him. No matter how much something you were trying to get him to do or to at least agree to were for his benefit, if he did not agree he would battle with you, and viciously at that. He would espouse his viewpoint to such a degree, that you felt you were dealing with one of the world’s most hostile and aggressive salesman and for the sake of getting him to shut up, I would eventually agree. And feel like I needed to shower after the interaction.

Now that he has been living with me for nearly two years, I have gotten to observe, up close and personal, how a person with these disorders on medication lives life. He has no regard whatsoever for personal nutrition. If I did not make him drink water everyday the only liquids he would drink are coffee and diet soda. He eats absolutely no fruits or vegetables. If I did not parcel out his cigarettes to him, he would easily smoke a pack of cigarettes a day, and still bum more cigarettes at his evening AA meetings.

Having taught sixth grade for twelve years, I have realized that my brother seems to share a lot of traits common to 11 year olds. He has been told to do the same chores, such as keeping his kitchen counter clean, hundreds of times. He has been told to clean the area around his toilet hundreds of times, In each case to no avail.

How do you punish a 52 year old. Like many other bipolars/mentally challenged in some other way people, the thing he wants to do the most is watch tv. Can you tell a 52 year old to go to his room, which is exactly what he wants to do?

This has certainly been a learning experience for me, and I seem to have to do more of the adapting than my brother does.



Miranda

David Lee Buster asked:


Depression and alcohol abuse can definitely be related. Alcohol abuse can make a person feel more depressed since alcohol is a depressant substance. And conversely, a person can turn to alcohol to help them cope with the symptoms of depression. A kind of viscious cycle can occur because of depression and the way it makes a person feel.

The mental illness called depression causes the sufferer to feel intensely sad or perhaps worthless and alone. To cope with these feelings, many depressives resort to using alcohol, illegal drugs, tranquilizers and/or sleeping pills. The problem with these kinds of substances is that they often do more damage than good.

A question to raise is does depression and alcohol abuse happen because of depression, or does alcohol and depression happen because too much alcohol was consumed, making the depression worse? Does depression make the person abuse alcohol or does drinking excessive alcohol cause depression?

Almost forty percent of people who drink heavily will also have symptoms of depression. About five percent of men who are social drinkers suffer from depression but nearly ten percent of women who are social drinkers will be affected.

Alcohol can provide a form of benefit to those who suffer from depression, but alcohol consumption can work against them. Drinking alcohol in moderation can help a person feel better, perhaps forget their problems and make the world seem to be a better place to live. But a problem can be that instead of seeking professional help and taking prescribed antidepressant medications, a person attempts to self medicate with alcohol to alter their mood.

Depression and alcohol together can be a dangerous combination. The more alcohol a person drinks, the higher the risk of accidents, from motor vehicle accidents to slips and falls. Alcohol abusers account for about one third of domestic accidents, forty percent of fatal fires in their homes and over twenty percent of accidents at work. Persons with depression and alcohol abuse also often have a higher risk of suicide.

Persons who drink a lot of alcohol will usually discover that continued drinking actually begins to depress their mood. Often, the person begins looking elsewhere for help such as using sleeping pills to help them get to sleep at night. And in the mornings, they take something else to help get them going. These kinds of substances can become addictive very quickly. The result is that instead of taking the appropriate medications to help with their depression, they are taking medicines that are not designed to help with their depression issues.

Alcohol combined with the wrong medications will not help the person suffering from depression and may make the condition worse. The person suffering from depression and alcohol abuse should realize that they really have no choice but to seek help from their health care provider.

Begin the process of finding answers to what is going on in the persons life. Depressive disorders tend to be rated as mild, moderate and severe. Most mental health professionals will evaluate the depressive illness based on what kind of symptoms the person has and how well the person can function in their every day life. If the person is having suicidal thoughts, they will be considered as having a severe depressive illness and urgently needs professional help and intervention.

The correct approach is to seek the help of a qualified health care provider to properly diagnose and treat the symptoms of depression with appropriate antidepressant medications. Psychotherapy may also be prescribed to deal with underlying mental health issues. Instead of allowing depression and alcohol to rule ones life, find professional help to learn how to manage and live with depression.

Copyright 2007 InfoSearch Publishing



Vicki

Nick Johnson asked:


Families in North Carolina and around the country turn to nursing homes to provide care and attention to their elderly loved ones. But all too often families’ expectation for professionalism, kindness and compassion is replaced with a shocking reality: abuse.

Abuse violations are a serious concern in nursing homes across the United States, and North Carolina facilities are no exception. These types of violations are particularly grievous since elderly and disabled residents are unable to protect themselves from an attack. In many cases, they are not even able to communicate the abuse they have suffered to their family members, and hence have neither recourse nor protection from future abuse.

According to a 2001 Congressional report, more than 9,000 nursing home abuse reports were filed in the two-year period between January 1999 and January 2001. Of these 9,000 reports, more than 2,500 were severe enough to place residents in immediate jeopardy of death or serious injury. Reported types of abuse include sexual, physical and verbal.

Nursing home neglect is another significant area of abuse, and can range from failure to provide medications according to the doctor-prescribed schedule to withholding food and even water from patients. Dehydration and death have occurred as a result of this type of neglect.

Also according to the Congressional report, which was spearheaded by Representative Henry Waxman (D-CA), the number of nursing homes that is cited for abuse is increasing, and has been every year since 1996. For example, the number of nursing homes cited for abuse during annual inspections more than doubled between 1996 and 2000.

While these national statistics are appalling, of even greater concern are the incidents of unreported abuse. In fact, officials believe that abuse is grossly underreported; some experts even say that the majority of abuse incidents go unreported. At particular risk are nursing home patients without the mental or physical faculties to be aware of — or even to articulate — the abuse they are suffering at the hands of their supposed caregivers.

Nationwide, one-third of the U.S.’s 1,600 nursing homes were cited for an abuse violation that had the potential to cause harm or death. This heart-wrenching statistic has devastating consequences for a state like North Carolina, which has over 37,000 of its residents living in nursing homes, according to a census conducted in 2002.

The reality is grim for North Carolina seniors, since one out of every three residents over the age of eighty-five lives in a nursing home. Given the national rates of nursing home abuse, North Carolinians are undoubtedly at risk. If you or a loved one has been the victim of nursing home abuse or neglect, please contact a qualified attorney. Your lawyer can help you to get the compensation you deserve for your mistreatment, abuse and neglect.



Jade

Nick Johnson asked:


1.6 million families in Tennessee and around the United States turn to nursing homes to care for their elderly loved ones. The number is expected to rise to 5 million over the next thirty years, as the baby boomer population ages. While families chose nursing care with an expectation of professionalism, kindness and compassion, there is a dark side to nursing homes: neglect and abuse.

Abuse violations include physical, emotional and sexual abuse, as well as neglect. According to a 2001 Congressional Report, one in three U.S. nursing homes have been cited for abuse. These types of violations are especially insidious since elderly and disabled residents are unable to protect themselves from an attack. In many cases, they are not even able to communicate the abuse they have suffered to their family members, and hence they have neither recourse against nor protection from future abuse.

What is being done to protect Tennessee residents from falling victim to this kind of abuse? First, there are a number of laws on the books in Tennessee. For example, all staff must pass a criminal background check and all nursing homes are subject to annual or more frequent inspections by the department of health. Furthermore, Tennesseans are protected by national nursing home laws, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Nursing Home Reform Act.

These two laws mandate, among other things, that patients must be given freedom and must receive respect for their persons, and their personal property and possessions.

If you suspect that you or a family member has been the victim of abuse or neglect, you can report the incident via state agencies such as the Tennessee Department of Health. The health department has licensing oversight for nursing homes and can revoke a home’s license if it is found to be in severe violation of state and national law.

In addition to reporting the incident to the state agency, you should also contact a local lawyer experienced with cases of nursing home abuse and neglect in Tennessee. Your Tennessee nursing home abuse lawyer will work with you on filing your claim with the state authorities, will advise you on the variety of legal issues, and will advocate for you as you seek monetary compensation for the neglect and abuse you or your loved one experienced.

Families in North Carolina and around the country turn to nursing homes to provide care and attention to their elderly loved ones. But all too often families’ expectation for professionalism, kindness and compassion is replaced with a shocking reality: abuse.

Abuse violations are a serious concern in nursing homes across the United States, and North Carolina facilities are no exception. These types of violations are particularly grievous since elderly and disabled residents are unable to protect themselves from an attack. In many cases, they are not even able to communicate the abuse they have suffered to their family members, and hence have neither recourse nor protection from future abuse.

According to a 2001 Congressional report, more than 9,000 nursing home abuse reports were filed in the two-year period between January 1999 and January 2001. Of these 9,000 reports, more than 2,500 were severe enough to place residents in immediate jeopardy of death or serious injury. Reported types of abuse include sexual, physical and verbal.

Nursing home neglect is another significant area of abuse, and can range from failure to provide medications according to the doctor-prescribed schedule to withholding food and even water from patients. Dehydration and death have occurred as a result of this type of neglect.

Also according to the Congressional report, which was spearheaded by Representative Henry Waxman (D-CA), the number of nursing homes that is cited for abuse is increasing, and has been every year since 1996. For example, the number of nursing homes cited for abuse during annual inspections more than doubled between 1996 and 2000.

While these national statistics are appalling, of even greater concern are the incidents of unreported abuse. In fact, officials believe that abuse is grossly underreported; some experts even say that the majority of abuse incidents go unreported. At particular risk are nursing home patients without the mental or physical faculties to be aware of — or even to articulate — the abuse they are suffering at the hands of their supposed caregivers.

Nationwide, one-third of the U.S.’s 1,600 nursing homes were cited for an abuse violation that had the potential to cause harm or death. This heart-wrenching statistic has devastating consequences for a state like North Carolina, which has over 37,000 of its residents living in nursing homes, according to a census conducted in 2002.

The reality is grim for North Carolina seniors, since one out of every three residents over the age of eighty-five lives in a nursing home. Given the national rates of nursing home abuse, North Carolinians are undoubtedly at risk. If you or a loved one has been the victim of nursing home abuse or neglect, please contact a qualified attorney. Your lawyer can help you to get the compensation you deserve for your mistreatment, abuse and neglect.



Leighton

Pamela Dombrowski-Wilson asked:


Elder abuse is defined as mistreatment or improper treatment that includes physical, sexual, emotional abuse or confinement. Neglect is broader and includes self neglect, which is more common than one would think. Neglect includes not giving proper attention to a person who needs assistance, such as leaving a person unattended who needs care. Self neglect occurs when an individual does not care for their physical or medical needs. Financial exploitation also falls under these categories.

Self neglect occurs in about 48% of cases reported to county social service agencies. Psychological, emotional and physical abuse by family members constitutes 20% of the cases and 13% is represented by financial or material exploitation. (Source: Olinger, David. Elderly Abuse Rising Statewide. Denver Post, 1/23/2005 p. 1a, 8a.). It is surprising to find that family members represent the main source of financial exploiters.

The abuser is most often a family member living with the older adult: 32.5% child, 19.2% other relatives, 14.4% spouse. (Totara, 1993). Many times, the abuse is accepted by the family as a normal way of life and is not seen as a problem. The abuse normally results from a long term abusive relationship. The victim is usually dependent on the abuser for care and assistance.

In cases where the mature adult has Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia abuse is most common. The demands on the family caregiver are substantial, especially when the older adult cannot be left alone and there are few others who can assist. It is in many of these cases when a child moves in to take care of a parent that financial abuse occurs because the child becomes dependent on the income of the parent. In many cases the family caregiver suffers from depression and other chronic health issues. While this does not excuse the potential for abuse, it offers a basis to educate family caregivers on the need to seek outside assistance.

Self abuse, the most common form of neglect also occurs more frequently in mature adults with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia. These individuals fail to perform daily activities of hygiene, nutrition and medication compliance and housekeeping because of advanced cognitive impairment. If no children or family members are available, the individual becomes isolated and falls within the cracks of society with no one noticing the self neglect until an event occurs where the mature adult becomes lost, has a house fire or has an interaction with a neighbor who reports the individual to county social services.

As the number of mature adults increases in society, those who come in contact with individuals who may be suffering from neglect or self abuse have a duty to ask questions in order to offer protection to those who may not be able to care for themselves.



Pauline

Nick Johnson asked:


Families turn to nursing homes to provide care and attention for their aging loved ones. But all too often a family’s reasonable expectation for medical professionalism and human kindness is met instead by the heart-breaking reality of nursing home abuse. According to a 2001 Congressional report, one-third of the United States’ 1,600 nursing homes were cited for an abuse violation.

From Maine to California and from Colorado to Texas, the number of nursing home abuse violations is growing every year. In the two-year period between January 1999 and January 2001, more than 9,000 nursing home abuse reports were filed. Of these reports, over 2,500 described an incident severe enough to place a residents’ health and even life in immediate jeopardy.

Reported types of abuse include sexual, physical and verbal. Another significant area of abuse is nursing home neglect, which can range from a caregivers’ failure to provide medications according to the doctor-prescribed schedule to withholding food and even water from patients.

Dehydration and death have occurred as a result of this type of neglect. Abuse violations are a serious concern in nursing homes across all fifty of the United States, and are particularly egregious since elderly and disabled residents are unable to protect themselves from an attack.

According to the 2001 Congressional report, nursing home neglect and abuse is wide spread and it cuts across racial, socio-economic and geographic lines. Across the United States, nursing home abuse is increasing. Between 1996 and 2000, for example, the number of nursing homes cited for abuse during their annual inspections more than doubled.

Even more concerning than the number of reported abuse violations, however, are the incidents that go unreported. Officials believe that abuse is grossly underreported. Patients suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, dementia and paralysis are at particular risk. Not only does their impairment prevent them from communicating their abuse to loved ones, it also renders them helpless in preventing their future attacks.

There are over 18,000 nursing homes in the United States today, which house more than 1.6 million people. Over the next twenty years, the number of nursing home residents is set to double, with the aging of millions of baby boomers. As this population needs outside care, the number of residents grows, and with that growth will come new opportunities for abuse.

No city or state is immune; abuse statistics encompass every geographic location and type of facility. Regardless of where you live, nursing home abuse is a real and imminent danger for America’s elderly.



Lyle