Recurring Problems with Nursing Homes #4

Dan Frith

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Lauren and I have reviewed over 500 potential nursing home cases over the years and we see some problems over and over and over again. I decided we would share with our readers some of the more frequent problems...and the answers.

Problem #4: The staff at your mother's nursing home tells you she needs medication in order to make her more manageable. What you are really being told is the facility is under-staffed and they want to sedate your mother to the extent she doesn't need attentive and frequent nursing care. Federal law prohibits the use of medication in this situation.

Behavior modifying medication (also called psychoactive medication) can be used only to treat a resident's medical condition or symptoms. Behavior modifying medication cannot be used for discipline or for the convenience of the nursing home (Section 483.13(a) of Title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations).

If the behavior modifying medication is recommended by the resident's doctor, the resident or her/his family must be told what condition or illness is being treated by the medication.

Don't let the facility "dope up" your mom.