Pennsylvania Nursing Home Abuse Attorney Blog

As Philadelphia nursing home neglect lawyers, we were very interested in a new study published in the Jan. 11 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine. Researchers from the University of Massachusetts at Worcester found that in 2007, a disproportionately large proportion of nursing home patients received a drug from a class of drugs known as atypical antipsychotics. These drugs are indicated for mental illnesses like schizophrenia, but have several side effects serious enough that their use is now heavily restricted by the FDA. In particular, a 2005 safety labeling change warned that atypical antipsychotics may raise the risk of death in older people with dementia.

No drug is currently approved for controlling difficult behavior in patients with dementia, but atypical antipsychotics are widely used off-label for this purpose. This is despite the 2005 safety warning and the increased risk of stroke, diabetes, hyperglycemia and other side effects. Nonetheless, the study found that about a third of all nursing home patients in 2007 received the drugs. And one third of those patients had no diagnosis of mental illness or dementia. The scientists also found that patients were more likely to receive atypical antipsychotics after entering a nursing home that already had high prescribing rates. This may indicate a problem with "organizational culture," the authors wrote, and more studies should examine whether the practice has negative health consequences.

This is disturbing news, because it suggests that some nursing homes may be using dangerous, powerful drugs unnecessarily. The risks of atypical antipsychotics are so serious that another recent study found a 19% drop in prescriptions after the 2005 safety warning. Nursing homes who put their patients at risk of death or disability for no good medical reason are committing a form of nursing home abuse.

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When our Philadelphia nursing home abuse lawyers discuss negligence at nursing homes, most people think of physical abuse -- the use of non-accidental force. This type of abuse certainly does happen at nursing homes, and it's a terrible betrayal of patients' trust. But according to the American Psychological Association, hitting and other physical attacks are far from the only type of abuse older people may face. The APA defines elder abuse as the infliction of physical, psychological or emotional harm on an older adult. This includes acts we don't exactly consider violent, such as tying an older person down improperly because he or she is being difficult. More rarely, this can include sexual abuse.

Another form of nursing home abuse that may go unnoticed is emotional abuse. Caring for an older person can be tough, and caregivers may find themselves frustrated by irrational behavior by their patients. However, this is never an excuse for yelling, insults or other degrading behavior. Caregivers have been known to call their patients names; isolate them socially for no good reason; treat competent adults like children; and even control their behavior with threats and intimidation. Because the patient is partly or entirely dependent on the caregiver, he or she may be afraid to say anything.

Nursing home abuse is terrible enough when considered as an assault on an older person and his or her basic dignity. But in many cases, abuse can trigger serious health problems, or worsen problems the victim already has. In this way, nursing home abuse in Pennsylvania can actually contribute to or cause the victim's death, along with physical and emotional suffering and sometimes steep medical costs.

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