Three nursing home residents in California recently died from the effects of powerful medications used as a chemical restraint. One woman, described by her family as a feisty and energetic 97 year old, suddenly seemed tired and difficult to rouse. Her family did not know that she was being given a powerful seizure medication to [...]
1. Does the resident show signs of physical abuse or accident that are unexplained? These signs include brusing, abrasions, cuts or other signs of intentional or accidental bodily injury. While it is not unusual for a nursing home resident to suffer accidental injury and not all accidents reflect abuse or neglect, the nursing home staff [...]
The government reached a settlement in a case involving allegations that Nursing Home and pharmacists received kickbacks for prescribing Risperdal to nursing home residents. These type of schemes contribute to the widespread problem of medication abuse in nursing homes, especially the use of heavy doses of psychotropic medications as a restraint upon elder residents. To [...]
A recent study shows that elders with dementia are at much greater risk of hospitalization or death if they are prescribed antipsychotic medications. For more information, read the following articles: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/26/AR2008052601510.html http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601082&sid=aTJnSxKPZ0To&refer=canada For more information, contact Attorney Benjamin Gideon at Berman & Simmons, 1-800-244-3576 or visit www.bermansimmons.com
The New York Times recently reported that doctors have found the anti-psychotic medications are overprescribed for dementia and alzheimers patients, particularly those who are residents of nursing homes. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/24/health/24deme.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&adxnnlx=1214618341-mX42KSg/N0jjqNLeiWyVYw The Times reported that about one-third of all nursing home residents have been prescribed anti-psychotic drugs. The drugs are often prescribed “off label,” because they have [...]