A significant number of assisted-living residents and nursing home patients take medications every day. Many medications taken by these elderly individuals are necessary to treat chronic medical conditions including, but not limited to, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, thyroid problems, and kidney problems, among others. The medications necessary to treat these chronic diseases must be taken on a regular basis, and there may be consequences and symptoms if the medication is not given as instructed.
Unfortunately, many nursing home patients and assisted-living residents are not given their medication as directed by their doctor. Instead, some nursing home staff members either provide the individual with the wrong medication, provide the individual with the wrong dose of medication, or completely forget to provide the medication at all.
Many nursing home patients and assisted-living residents do not have the power to complain and let another person know that they are not receiving their medication as directed by their doctor. If these patients and residents do have the ability to complain, such complaints may be shrugged off and not considered to be a real problem. As such, family members, friends and loved ones of nursing home patients and assisted-living should keep a close eye to ensure proper care is being given, including the administration of the correct medication at the correct dose.
The Consequences of Failing to Give Patients Their Medication as Directed
When nursing home patients and assisted-living residents do not receive necessary medication, their underlying medical conditions may resurface, and they may suffer additional side effects or consequences that could be dangerous to their health. For example, withdrawal of certain medications can cause pain, dizziness, vomiting and a whole host of other problems that the patient or resident should not be subject to. When a nursing home patient or assisted-living resident has suffered an injury or illness because of a failure to properly administer medication, he or she (along with loved ones) may find guidance by speaking with a qualified New Jersey Elder Law Attorney.
Leave a Reply