Antipsychotic drugs are prescription medications commonly used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. However, in recent years, there has been a growing concern about the improper use of these drugs in nursing homes. Although these drugs carry serious risks, including an increased risk of death, many New Mexico nursing home residents are prescribed these medications without a clear medical need. Why nursing homes improperly use antipsychotic drugs One of the primary reasons for the improper use of antipsychotic drugs in nursing homes is the pressure to control challenging or disruptive b ..read more

One upcoming Supreme Court decision may have massive implications for the rights of millions of patients across New Mexico and the rest of the United States. The oral arguments for this case, Health and Hospital Corp. v. Talevski, began on Tuesday, November 8th. The case The chain of events started when a woman sued the agency running the nursing home where her father lived, who suffered from dementia. What she didn’t expect was for this fight for her father’s individual rights to turn into a battle for patients’ rights on a national scale. And since federally funded programs like Medicaid wou ..read more

On Wednesday, the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis released new evidence of poor conditions at for-profit nursing homes during the pandemic. The documents and evidence released were uncovered through the ongoing investigation into five for-profit nursing home chains that operate over 850 nursing homes as of June 2020. Each had significant coronavirus outbreaks across their facilities. “More than 200,000 Americans living in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities have died from the Coronavirus,” said Chairperson Rep. James E. Clyburn in his opening statement at yesterday ..read more

Nursing homes are meant to be a safe haven for the elderly in New Mexico. But unfortunately, nursing home abuse is a reality. If you have a loved one in a nursing home or are planning on putting them in one, it’s important to be aware of the signs of abuse. Physical abuse This refers to any physical force that causes injury, pain or impairment. This can include hitting, slapping, shoving, kicking, pinching, burning, restraints and force-feeding. Signs of physical abuse include bruises, broken bones, cuts, sores, welts and sprains. The victim may also have a change in behavior, such as being wi ..read more

Residents of New Mexico may want to learn more about recent calls for more inspections in nursing homes. Problems with nursing homes put your loved ones at risk, and inspections may catch some issues before they become disasters. You want your loved ones and family to have the best of care and living conditions as they age. According to media reports, the Senator from Pennsylvania is calling for more inspections to comply with government standards. He feels that many of the worst nursing homes are not receiving inspection nearly enough. Letter sent to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services ..read more

The White House announced yesterday nursing home reforms to, “improve the safety and quality of nursing home care, hold nursing homes accountable for the care they provide, and make the quality of care and facility ownership more transparent so that potential residents and their loved ones can make informed decisions about care.” The reforms focus on nursing home staffing, accountability for unsafe care, and transparency for the public about the conditions in nursing homes before selecting a facility. The White House noted the impact of long-standing substandard conditions at nursing home, inc ..read more

Dementia is a debilitating disease that can cause great harm to those who suffer from it in New Mexico and around the country. Unfortunately, dementia patients often get neglected by their nursing home caregivers, which can lead to serious complications. If someone you know has been a victim of dementia or nursing home neglect, there are steps that you can take to protect their rights. Dementia and nursing home neglect Dementia is a progressive disease that causes brain cells to die, resulting in memory loss and other changes. The most common type of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease, but there ..read more

Anyone who witnesses or suspects abuse in an assisted living facility in New Mexico must know what to do when he or she finds him or herself in that unfortunately common situation. In order to protect your elderly loved ones, it’s necessary to learn the signs of abusive behavior and waste no time in reporting it immediately. Protections for a vulnerable population The elderly is among the most vulnerable populations. Those who live in long-term care facilities are often the most at risk of abuse because they may go longer without seeing a relative or anyone else to check in with — someone who ..read more

If one of your parents is getting older and requires the help of a nursing home staff to live a comfortable life in Albuquerque or another part of New Mexico, it’s essential to ensure they are being cared for correctly. Learning some of the telltale signs to look for associated with nursing home neglect is critical if you want to ensure your elderly mom or dad is being treated respectfully and with the utmost care. Recognizing some examples of abuse and neglect should help you spot any apparent signs that this is happening with your loved one. If you feel like there’s something wrong is occurr ..read more

Bed sores are an injury commonly sustained by the elderly. There are a variety of different ways that someone could develop a bed sore while in a nursing home, and some of the causes can even be seen as nursing home neglect. Here are some of the things that can cause bed sores to develop in a nursing home in New Mexico. Common causes One thing that can cause a bedsore to form is continuous pressure on a particular part of your body. Bedsores often appear on body parts such as your hips, your shoulder blades, your elbows, your toes, your ankles, your spine and your tailbone. If the elderly resi ..read more