The U.S. Dementia Crisis and Why Better Training Cannot Wait

The United States is witnessing a rapid increase in people aged 65 years and older. In fact, this demographic has grown at almost five times the rate of the rest of the population. Today, this means there are now nearly 60 million people who are currently over the age of 65. That staggering figure includes 15.5 million seniors added since 2010. By 2040, that figure could be much closer to 12 million.

Not surprisingly, this demographic shift includes a growing number of individuals facing complex medical conditions, including those living with dementia. When a loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or some other type of dementia, families face many difficult and emotional challenges.

In the U.S., assisted-living facilities were originally designed to enable seniors to maintain an independent style of living. However, today, many of these facilities accommodate a substantial number of dementia patients. Unfortunately, these facilities rarely lack the specialized equipment, staff or training required to properly care for dementia patients.

A news article reports that more than half of the states in this country do not provide or even require focused training for staff working at assisted living facilities. Nine other states that do provide training only require the minimal six hours of training recommended by the Alzheimer’s Association.

To address this issue, states should establish minimum staff-to-patient ratios and provide comprehensive dementia training for staff. Society must urgently ensure proper care, protection, and respect for the millions already diagnosed with dementia, alongside ongoing efforts to find a cure.

Billions of dollars get invested every year to help us learn more about dementia, including what causes it, how to prevent it and how to diagnose it earlier. That said, those studies may not produce the necessary results for years to come. Today, we need immediate action to ensure seniors already living with dementia receive the proper care, protection and respect they deserve.

Need legal Help for Your Loved One in Long-Term Care? Call Our Trusted Law Firm

At PKSD, we are deeply committed to protecting our eldery living in long-term care, including those suffering from Alzheimer’s and various forms of dementia. We have a proven history of helping injured victims of neglect in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Call our law offices today to learn if you may have legal options for recovering compensation.

Our nursing home abuse attorneys currently accept cases in Wisconsin, Iowa and New Mexico.

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