Homestead Medicinal Abuse

For the elderly, medication is often essential in order to treat symptoms, extend life, and improve quality of life in senior years. Unfortunately, in the wrong hands, medication can be used as a form of abuse. For family members who are overwhelmed with caregiving roles and for staff at assisted-living and nursing home facilities in Homestead, medicine sometimes becomes a way to control patients or to keep residents compliant.

It is extremely dangerous and dangerous to under-medicate over over-medicate someone. Anytime that medication is administered differently than it was prescribed, serious complications and adverse reactions can occur. If you suspect that a loved one is being abused in this manner, it is important to consult with a personal injury attorney right away in order to get your family member to safety and in order to hold liable parties accountable for their actions. If you would like to review your options, contact Flaxman Law Group for a no cost, no obligation case review. The attorneys at Flaxman Law Group understand the importance of family and fight aggressively on behalf of families just like yours.

What Is Medicinal Abuse?

Many people have never heard of medicinal abuse, but it basically involves using medication in an abusive manner. This can involve:

• Withholding medication that a patient needs
• Over-medicating a patient in order to keep them compliant or sedated
• Over-medicating a patient in order to make sexual assault or physical abuse easier
• Getting a patient or elderly resident addicted to a medication, in order to facilitate other forms of abuse or in order to control the victim

Under medicating or over medicating a patient can be extremely dangerous. Medicinal abuse can lead to complications, illness, addiction, dangerous side effects, and other problems. Medicine is meant to be used as prescribed and when it is not, vulnerable patients may suffer the consequences.

Is Your Elderly Family Member a Victim of Abuse?

Unfortunately, elderly loved ones in assisted-living facilities and nursing homes are especially vulnerable. They may not have visitors every day who may notice signs of abuse and neglect. They may be too ill or too frightened to report instances of abuse themselves. Often, it is family members and concerned friends who note signs of abuse and take action. Family and friends may note signs of medicinal abuse, such as:

• Shakiness
• Dilated pupils
• Slurred speech or difficulty speaking
• Extreme lethargy
• Behavioral changes
• Very long periods of sleep or inactivity
• Worsening of symptoms
• A reliance on medication

If you suspect abuse or neglect in a nursing home or elder care facility, is important to take action and to hold those accountable responsible for their actions. Contact Flaxman Law Group at any time in order to arrange for a free accident consultation to discuss what can be done in your situation. Depending on the specifics of the situation, you may be able to launch a criminal case, civil case, or may be able to seek compensation that can help you pay for a loved one's care and for medical care.

---