Nursing Home Abuse

Nursing home abuse and neglect can take many forms and is unfortunately a growing problem in elderly care facilities across the country. However, one type of nursing home abuse and neglect not commonly discussed is medication errors and dispensing. According to the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), Americans who are 75 years or older take approximately 11 different medications over a one-year period, and senior citizens account for 35 percent of all prescriptions filled. Therefore, it is very likely an elderly family member is taking one or more medications for treatment at any given time.

In order to protect the health and well-being of an older loved one, the following are three different types of medication errors that can occur in a nursing home facility.

1. Wrong medication: A common type of nursing home abuse is negligence that occurs when undertrained/overworked employees make careless mistakes. When a caretaker dispenses the wrong medicine to a resident, dangerous and possibly fatal side effects can occur.
2. Overmedicating residents: Often caused by employee negligence, overmedicating residents is a common problem in elderly care facilities across the U.S. Research suggests that an estimated one quarter of nursing home residents are issued anti-psychotic drugs. If they are given these when not needed, it can decrease the quality of a loved one’s life and may even be fatal.
3. Medication dosage errors: If a nursing home facility is understaffed or workers are undertrained, there is a chance a resident may be given the incorrect dosage of medication. Prescription drug errors are unfortunately common in elderly care facilities in the U.S.

Nursing home abuse and neglect, especially in regards to medication, can be very dangerous and can cost an elderly loved one his or her life. If you feel an elderly family member or loved one is not receiving the appropriate care and may be the victim of abuse or neglect, a compassionate and skilled nursing home malpractice attorney in Maryland with the law firm of Alpert Schreyer can offer assistance. We will work to ensure your loved one’s rights are protected. For a free consultation, call (800) 489-1577.

For a family, making the decision to place an elderly relative in a nursing home is a very difficult one, as you are placing your loved one’s health and well-being in the hands of others. Also, with the increasing problem of nursing home abuse incidents across the country, it can certainly make the choice even harder. Nursing home malpractice is defined as an intentional act or negligence committed by a nursing home professional which may cause injury to a resident. There are different types of elder abuse that can occur, all of which can harm your loved one in varying ways.

In order to better protect your loved ones from elder abuse or neglect while in the care of a nursing home, the following are the different types of abuse that may occur and what signs to be aware of.

Physical Elder Abuse

This type of abuse is anything that may happen to your loved one’s body. Physical signs of abuse include: broken bones; wounds, cuts, abrasions, or burns; welts, bruises, swelling; sudden and unexplainable weight loss; and any hidden injuries. In addition, unnecessary restraints may be a sign of physical abuse.

Mental Elder Abuse

Mental elder abuse can manifest itself in different forms, and can include your loved one having: feelings of fear, agitation, or hesitancy; disorientation or confusion; depression; withdrawal or unjustified isolation; sudden changes in behavior or unusual behavior patterns; and/or unwillingness to communicate. Another sign of mental abuse can be the nursing home staff making rude or humiliating comments to residents.

Elder Neglect

If your elderly loved one is not receiving adequate care and attention, neglect may be occurring in the facility. Signs of neglect may include: your loved one having an unkempt appearance; bed sores; poor personal hygiene; smell of urine or feces; unsanitary living environment; untreated medical conditions; or malnutrition or dehydration.

Financial Elder Abuse

It is unthinkable that someone would exploit an elderly individual, but financial elder abuse unfortunately occurs. Some signs include: missing/stolen property or money; abrupt, unjustified selling of property; and any other radical changes in personal financial affairs.

If you discover signs that any type of elder abuse may be occurring, it can be very devastating to know that your elderly loved one is being abused or taken advantage of, but it is important to know you have legal rights. If your loved one has been the victim of elder abuse, the nursing home malpractice attorneys in Waldorf of Alpert Schreyer can help you hold any negligent parties responsible. Please call (800) 489-1577 for a complimentary consultation.