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If Your  Loved One Was Overmedicated in a Nursing Home

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If Your  Loved One Was Overmedicated in a Nursing Home

If Your  Loved One Was Overmedicated in a Nursing Home

Imagine the horror of discovering that your mother, father, grandparent, another family member, or close friend was the victim of overmedication in a nursing home. During these years of their lives, older people require a peaceful and happy environment to have fun and socialize, but, in many dire situations, some patients will be administered excessive quantities of medication just to be kept quiet rather than hiring additional staff to care for an overflow of patients.

Although this situation may sound too terrible to be real, the fact of the matter is that this situation is all too factual. If your elder loved one or friend has been overmedicated in this situation, do not panic. With the assistance of an experienced attorney with knowledge about nursing home abuse cases, you can help your loved one seek the justice they deserve.

SOME FACTS ABOUT ELDER ABUSE

According to a report from the National Institute on Aging, thousands of adults ages 60 and older fall victim to elder abuse, a situation where an older person is victimized in a home or nursing home setting. As a result of this behavioral and emotional battering, these men and women will become withdrawn and frightened and, in the case of people who are overmedicated, may not act like the loving friends or family members they once were. Here are some signs of abuse in older people:

  • Sleep problems
  • Sudden bouts of depression and confusion
  • Sudden and drastic weight loss
  • Signs of emotional trauma (mumbling, rocking)
  • Violent or aggressive behavior
  • Strange markings like bruises or scars
  • Unkempt hair and dirty clothes
  • Bed sores and other signs of poor treatment

INSTIGATING A NATIONAL RESPONSE

If Your  Loved One Was Overmedicated in a Nursing HomeIf you suspect your loved one or friend has been overmedicated and subsequently became the victim of elder abuse, one resource you may consider is the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA). Simply put, this organization has been formed on the basis of building awareness for the national crisis of elder abuse and seeks to improve living conditions, healthcare conditions, and medical practice to ensure incidences concerning the mistreatment of our elders does not take place.

HOW TO HANDLE A CASE OF ELDER ABUSE

If you are suspicious that your loved one is being mistreated or have valid proof, there are several steps you can take to investigate further. First of all, always report this situation to the staff, and, if none of these individuals respond, take up the case with the victim’s doctor or caseworker. According to Medicare policy, the nursing home or residential facility must provide a grievance procedure so you can launch a complaint freely and a list of state groups associated with the location.

YOUR LEGAL SOLUTION

We at Edelstein, Martin, & Nelson are passionate about our practice and are fully knowledgeable in the laws, rules, and statutes surrounding unfortunate incidences and accidents throughout the State of Delaware. We fight for the rights of each victim and their closest family members and will help them receive the justice they more than deserve. If your elder relative or friend has been the victim of neglect or abuse in a nursing home environment in any way, contact our office today at 800-300-0909 to file your claim.

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