Arizona Disability Advocates for Group Home Abuse of People with Quadriplegia

Summary

This article discusses abuse and neglect of people with quadriplegia in residential group homes. It begins with a brief discussion of the quadriplegia and its causes. It then outlines the duties of group home administrators and staff toward residents with quadriplegia, including assisting with daily functions and helping to adjust to the injury and foster independence. The possible consequences of abuse and neglect are then discussed. The article then discusses the special emotional and psychological needs of residents with quadriplegia, who may need assistance in adjusting to living in a group home environment and no longer being independent.

Arizona Disability Advocates for Group Home Abuse of People with Quadriplegia

Every year, 5,000 people in the United States suffer cervical spinal cord injuries, many of them leading the quadriplegia, which means complete or partial impairment of all four limbs. Suffering from quadriplegia is a life-altering and potentially devastating experience, but with proper care and a good support system, a person with quadriplegia can learn to live with their injury and retain a high quality of life.

For many people with quadriplegia, adjusting to their injury means living in a residential group home. Group homes may be necessary to assist residents with daily functions as well as help them with physical therapy and adjusting to their injury.

However, while group homes can be extremely helpful to residents with quadriplegia if they operate properly, many group homes fall short of their expected standards of care. Group homes cut costs by employing inexperienced and ill-trained staff members who do not know how to properly care for residents, especially residents with quadriplegia who may be used to living independently and have difficulty adjusting to the group home environment. This creates an environment in which abuse and neglect are likely to occur.

If your or a loved one suffers from quadriplegia and is a resident of a group home in Phoenix, Tempe, Scottsdale or elsewhere in Maricopa County and you suspect abuse or neglect has occurred, you should contact an Arizona group home abuse attorney immediately.

About Quadriplegia

Quadriplegia refers to the partial or complete impairment of all four extremities. It is typically caused by damage to the brain or spinal cord at a high level, in particular damage to the cervical spine. It is typically caused by trauma, such as a car crash, gunshot wound, fall or sports injury, or illness, such as transverse myelitis, polio, or spinal bifida.

Quadriplegia in Group Homes

People with quadriplegia may need to live in a group home facility because they need assistance with daily tasks such as eating, bathing and dressing, and may also require frequent physical therapy. In addition to providing assistance and physical therapy, group homes should also help residents with quadriplegia adjust to living with their injury and foster as much independence as possible and promote a high quality of life. Each resident has an Individual Support Plan (ISP) which outlines their daily needs and long-term goals, and which should be constantly followed by the group home staff and administrators.

If daily assistance is not being provided, residents with quadriplegia can suffer from dehydration, malnutrition, bed sores, and illness. In addition, if the ISP is not being followed to foster independence, this can also qualify as neglect.

Addressing Emotional and Psychological Needs

Group home residents with quadriplegia have a special set of emotional and psychological needs which must also be addressed. Unlike many other group home residents, residents with quadriplegia may be used to living a very independent lifestyle, and adjusting to the group home environment and relying on others may be difficult for them. Group home administrators and staff should take this into account and make sure that they are always creating an environment in which the resident feels comfortable and respected.

Contact an Arizona Group Home Abuse Lawyer

If your child or other loved one has quadriplegia and is a resident of a group home in Phoenix, Tempe, Scottsdale or elsewhere in Maricopa County, and they have been a victim of abuse or neglect, you should consult with an Arizona group home abuse lawyer to discuss your case. For more information, please visit http://www.grouphomeabuselawyer.com/