[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/damicopettinicchi.com\/blog\/dementia-and-alzheimers-disease-patients-residing-in-nursing-homes\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/damicopettinicchi.com\/blog\/dementia-and-alzheimers-disease-patients-residing-in-nursing-homes\/","headline":"Dementia and Alzheimer\u2019s Disease Patients Residing in Nursing Homes","name":"Dementia and Alzheimer\u2019s Disease Patients Residing in Nursing Homes","description":"According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), just over 50 percent of nursing home residents have been diagnosed with Alzheimer\u2019s disease and other forms of dementia. These residents have unique needs that require knowledgeable caregivers. Unfortunately, these patients are at a higher risk of abuse or neglect in nursing homes because of their illness. […]","datePublished":"2023-05-15","dateModified":"2026-03-11","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/damicopettinicchi.com\/blog\/author\/damico\/#Person","name":"D Amico & Pettinicchi, LLC","url":"https:\/\/damicopettinicchi.com\/blog\/author\/damico\/","identifier":11,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/5c310c9f3211b0da1ea34789a06a7cc25b8bbeed0ab4f1ca7b77036b32d8bb35?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/5c310c9f3211b0da1ea34789a06a7cc25b8bbeed0ab4f1ca7b77036b32d8bb35?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"D\u2019Amico & Pettinicchi, LLC","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/damicopettinicchi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/logo-header.svg","url":"https:\/\/damicopettinicchi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/logo-header.svg","width":0,"height":0}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/damicopettinicchi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/old-peoples-home-g8f37eb128_1280.jpg","url":"https:\/\/damicopettinicchi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/old-peoples-home-g8f37eb128_1280.jpg","height":960,"width":1280},"url":"https:\/\/damicopettinicchi.com\/blog\/dementia-and-alzheimers-disease-patients-residing-in-nursing-homes\/","about":["Nursing Home Abuse"],"wordCount":915,"articleBody":"According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), just over 50 percent of nursing home residents have been diagnosed with Alzheimer\u2019s disease and other forms of dementia.These residents have unique needs that require knowledgeable caregivers. Unfortunately, these patients are at a higher risk of abuse or neglect in nursing homes because of their illness.If your elderly loved one has experienced abuse or neglect in a nursing home, contact D\u2019Amico Pettinicchi Injury Lawyers. Our New Haven nursing home abuse lawyers will work to protect your loved one, and assist you in taking action to hold responsible parties accountable.About DementiaDementia is an illness that causes a person\u2019s mental capacity to decline over time. It causes difficultly in performing simple tasks, recalling information and communication.Symptoms of DementiaDementia causes a wide range of symptoms, that often vary among residents in nursing homes. They may present as mild in the beginning, but usually become worse over time.Dementia is diagnosed when a person experiences significant impairment in two of these areas of cognitive function:MemoryFocusJudgement and reasoningLanguage and communicationVisual perceptionDementia StagesDementia progresses over time, and patients typically experience seven stages:Stage one:\u00a0No memory loss or mental challenges are present, and normal functioning is intact.Stage two:\u00a0Limited symptoms start to appear, such as difficulty remembering certain events or memories.Stage three:\u00a0Symptoms increase, and the patient may have problems performing at work, concentrating and choosing correct words. This is typically the stage where dementia is first noticed.Stage four:\u00a0Symptoms become more severe, and the patient may withdraw from friends and family due to difficulty socializing. Physicians can begin to detect cognitive issues.Stage five:\u00a0Patients experience significant memory deficits. Assistance may be required for daily activities. Memory loss increases.Stage six:\u00a0Care is required for daily activities. Names of family members and close friends may be forgotten, and short-term memory is impacted. Speech declines.Stage seven:\u00a0Communication and speech is essentially lost. Assistance is needed for almost all activities. Psychomotor skills, including walking, are often lost.About Alzheimer\u2019s DiseaseAlzheimer\u2019s disease is a form of dementia causing cognitive difficulties, memory loss and behavioral issues. There is no cure for\u00a0Alzheimer\u2019s disease, and it is the most common form of dementia.Symptoms of Alzheimer\u2019s DiseaseAlzheimer\u2019s disease symptoms typically show slowly, though they may increase quickly as the disease progresses. Common symptoms include:ConfusionDisorientationMemory loss regarding new informationMood and behavioral changesUnfounded suspicionAlzheimer\u2019s Disease StagesAlzheimer\u2019s disease patients move through three stages as the disease progresses. Each stage affects patients differently and progresses until the person is incapacitated.Early-Stage or Mild Alzheimer\u2019s DiseasePatients in this stage are often independent, but experience mild cognitive impairment. Symptoms include:Not recalling the right words or namesMisusing wordsProblems recalling names of new peopleIssues performing work tasksIssues engaging sociallyTrouble planning or organizingMisplacing valuables or important itemsMiddle-Stage or Moderate Alzheimer\u2019s DiseaseThis stage is the longest and can extend for many years. Symptoms become more apparent and include:Inability to recall personal historyMood changesProblems recalling personal details or information like address or phone numbersChanges in behavior and personalityConfusion about location, time or dateIncontinence issuesAbrupt sleep changesWandering or eloping from a nursing homeLate-Stage or Severe Alzheimer\u2019s DiseaseIn this final stage, the patient typically loses control over his or her abilities, both physical and cognitive. Communication is severely impacted, and full-time assistance is required for daily tasks. Symptoms include:Total unawareness of surroundingsVulnerability to infectionNo recall of recent eventsInability to communicateIn ability to perform physical activitiesDementia and Alzheimer\u2019s Disease Patients at Increased Risk for AbuseSadly, nursing home residents suffering from dementia or Alzheimer\u2019s disease are at a higher risk of abuse than other residents because of their illness.Dementia greatly impacts a person\u2019s communication skills, so the resident becomes unable to report abusive incidents or remember they occurred.These residents are often susceptible to abuse such as:Physical abuseEmotional abuseSexual abuseFinancial abuseNeglectSelf-neglectDeprivationConfinementIn many cases, family members or loved ones are the ones who identify abuse or neglect in nursing homes. When familiar with a resident\u2019s behaviors and personality, these people may observe changes that indicate abuse may be occurring, such as:Bruises, burns and cutsBedsoresPoor hygieneUnexplained weight lossBruising in the genital areaSudden mood swings or depressionArguments between the resident and caregiversChanges in resident financesIf you suspect your loved one has suffered abuse or neglect in a nursing home, report the incident to the proper Connecticut authorities. Once abuse is reported, consult our legal team to learn if legal action may be appropriate in your loved one\u2019s situation.Contact Our Watertown Nursing Home Abuse AttorneysDue to their incapacity, dementia and Alzheimer\u2019s disease patients living in nursing homes are often the unfortunate victims of abuse.The nursing home abuse lawyers at D\u2019Amico Pettinicchi Injury Lawyers have advocated for victims for more than 25 years. We will give your family a voice and help you gain justice against negligent caregivers.Schedule a free, no obligation consultation and learn what legal options are available to hold responsible parties liable. We work on contingency only, and payment is only required if we are successful in representing your case."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/damicopettinicchi.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Dementia and Alzheimer\u2019s Disease Patients Residing in Nursing Homes","item":"https:\/\/damicopettinicchi.com\/blog\/dementia-and-alzheimers-disease-patients-residing-in-nursing-homes\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]