According to a recent NPR article, there is a serious, growing issue of overmedicating nursing home residents. There are around 300,000 seniors in nursing homes today who are receiving anti-psychotic and/or anti-anxiety medications. These medications aren’t explicitly prescribed for dementia or Alzheimer’s, rather, they’re administered to make the stress and aggression that go along with these diseases more bearable for all involved, including the nursing home staff.
However, Federal Law prohibits nursing home staff from administering antipsychotic or other psychoactive drugs for their own convenience, and for good reason. These drugs are intended to treat very specific and serious mental disorders (i.e. schizophrenia, bipolar disorder), and they have very specific warnings associated with their use with dementia, citing an increased risk of “heart failure, infections and death.” Medical professionals agree that these medications should be used as a last resort, but this is not always the case.
If your loved one is in an Oklahoma nursing home facility and struggling with Alzheimer’s and/or dementia, you may want to monitor his or her status on a regular basis. Make sure you’re aware of what medications are being administered and the reasons for them. If your loved one seems unnaturally lethargic, more prone to falls, or suffers an infection or a stroke, it could be a sign of overmedication.
If you are concerned about a senior’s care or treatment in a nursing facility, you may want to discuss your issue with an experienced Oklahoma nursing home lawyer at the Maples Law Firm. Our knowledgeable staff is ready to talk with you and can schedule a free consultation to learn about the specifics of your situation. Call us today at (405) 705-5050.
