State and Federal law provides “Residents’ Rights,” which are typically those rights or guarantees given to nursing home residents.
Most cases against nursing homes stem from the facility’s failure to provide appropriate health care and protective and supportive services.
These violations often result in serious physical injury and can contribute to an undignified existence for the elderly resident. Read More…
State and Federal law provides “Residents’ Rights,” which are typically those rights or guarantees given to nursing home residents.
Most cases against nursing homes stem from the facility’s failure to provide appropriate health care and protective and supportive services.
These violations often result in serious physical injury and can contribute to an undignified existence for the elderly resident. Read More…
Overmedication: A Dangerous, All-Too-Common Way to Restrain the Elderly
At the behest of on-site or on-call doctors and physicians’ assistants, most nursing home residents follow strict medication regimens that shouldn’t be altered or discontinued without a thorough consultation. Unfortunately, many nursing homes suffer from a lack of accountability that can lead staff members to make questionable dosing decisions. By all accounts, the problem of “over-medication”—especially with potentially dangerous sedatives and mood stabilizers—is growing. Learn more about how to spot and address over-medication at nursing homes.
Spotting Over-Medication
You don’t have to be a doctor to recognize potentially dangerous over-medication practices at your loved one’s nursing home. In this setting, psychiatric medications tend to be over-prescribed more often than other types of drugs. Look for the following symptoms in your family member or loved one:
These problems can often appear and worsen within days, so it’s important to remain vigilant.
Causes of the Problem
Typical “causes” of over-medication include:
The problem of over-medication isn’t going away. In fact, it’s getting worse. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, over 50% of all anti-psychotic prescriptions made to nursing home patients may be unnecessary. At least 20% of all nursing home prescriptions are dispensed for longer than the recommended course or in excessive doses. Some pharmaceutical companies have already admitted to improperly marketing mood stabilizers and anti-psychotic drugs to nursing home doctors, but industry experts believe that the practice remains widespread.
Recourse for Family Members
Family members should make it clear to nursing home doctors and nurses that their loved ones must be treated with dignity and respect. If you suspect that your family member is being “controlled” with inappropriate drug doses, put pressure on the facility’s management team to investigate the issue. If this doesn’t work, contact an experienced NY attorney group that has prosecuted more nursing home abuse cases than any other firm in the state. Reach us at our website, or call (716) 681-7190.
If your loved one lives in a nursing home, do not ignore signs of abuse or neglect. Older Americans with limited physical, emotional and mental abilities are most likely to suffer at the hands of a nursing home worker. If you see any of the following signs of abuse or neglect, contact an attorney in Buffalo immediately.
Personal injury attorneys in Buffalo specialize in nursing home abuse and neglect cases to get compensation for mistreatment of your loved one. Law firms work with doctors and law enforcement to shut down nursing facilities with excessive complaints of abuse or neglect. Call lawyers in Buffalo, NY at Brown Chiari to help your loved one today.
Choosing the perfect nursing home for a loved one is a complicated process that requires consideration of certain factors including the quality of care, the availability of activities for residents and whether other residents report feeling comfortable in the home. A complication that makes this process even more difficult is the fact that nursing home abuse is a real danger. Fortunately, there are some signs to look for to determine whether abuse is likely before it even starts.
• Ask about how caregivers are evaluated prior to being hired. Caregivers should be able to pass a background check and should display the ability to stay calm under pressure. Questions about the length of shifts and the number of patients assigned to each caregiver are also essential.
• Observe residents in the nursing home to see if they show any signs of abuse. Signs of abuse include noticeable injuries, listlessness and withdrawn behavior. While some residents of the facility may display withdrawn behavior or a lack of energy due to medical conditions, observing this behavior in several residents is a clue that there could be a problem with the facility.
• Research the turnover rate of caretakers and other staff members. A high turnover rate indicates a low level of employee morale and is often a sign of poor quality of care.
• The number of available activities may indicate whether a nursing home has a problem with abuse. Abusive caretakers will often neglect patients and avoid taking time to plan activities to improve the quality of life of their patients.
• Ask residents how they feel that they are treated while in the nursing home. It is possible that caretakers and other staff members speak differently to visitors and family members. Abusive nursing home employees typically do not show their true personalities unless they are alone with residents.
Personal injury attorneys in Buffalo can help families when their loved ones have become victims of nursing home abuse. Consulting with a Brown Chiari attorney in Buffalo will help families understand their rights in relation to putting an end to elder abuse and receiving compensation for medical bills associated with injuries suffered as a direct result. Anyone who believes that a loved one has been a victim of nursing home abuse should contact a lawyer in Buffalo, NY as soon as possible.
Elder abuse is a serious concern for families searching for a nursing home for a loved one. Careful nursing home selection can help reduce the risk of abuse and neglect. The tips listed can assist in assuring that your family member will not suffer abuse or neglect while in the care of others.
Activities
A nursing home that cares about the comfort and happiness of residents will offer regular activities for amusement and socialization. Common activities include bingo, board games, movie nights and day trips. Some nursing homes even make it a point to take individual resident’s interests and hobbies into account when scheduling activities.
Dining Options
Nursing homes should offer a varied selection of nutritious foods for meals and snacks. Special dietary needs should be taken into consideration when meals are scheduled to give options to residents with needs related to medical issues such as diabetes or high blood pressure.
Trustworthy Employees
Ask the nursing home about their policies regarding the hiring of new employees. Employees should be required to complete a background check and have no criminal record. Any employee that completes medical tasks should be properly trained as a medical professional.
A Homey Feeling
Residents often have trouble transitioning to a nursing home because it does not have the amenities and familiar surroundings that are associated with home. Seek out a nursing home that allows residents to bring items from home to decorate their rooms. If a loved one making the transition to a nursing home has a pet, ask the facility whether personal pets are allowed to stay with residents.
Adequate Communication
A respectable nursing home should encourage regular visits from family members and should not have overly-restrictive rules on visitation. Family members should be invited and encouraged to keep an open communication with the facility to discuss the progress, comfort and happiness of their loved one.
Anyone that suspects beyond a reasonable doubt that a family member has been abused or neglected while under nursing home care should contact a New York attorney. A Brown Chiari, LLP attorney in Buffalo can discuss the legal recourse associated with elder abuse and help families seek compensation for any damages suffered.
