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As family members become older, they are likely to need the assistance of others to make basic life decisions and perform tasks such as going to the grocery store or picking up their medicine from the pharmacy. In some cases, family members will place their relatives within a Florida nursing home where medical staff will take care of them 24/7.
Most nursing homes take excellent care of their residents. Unfortunately, however, some are the site of abusive behavior and neglect. This can range from physical abuse to lesser-known forms of mistreatment such as withholding medicine from residents.
Negligence
In cases where nursing home staff withhold medication by mistake, the issue could be negligence. The courts are likely to research the exact duty of care the accused party had toward the elderly person. Nursing home abuse/neglect can occur if those directly responsible for taking care of an elderly person forgot what time and how much medication their resident was supposed to get. In turn, that resident has or may have suffered severe health issues due to their negligence.
Deliberate negligence
On the other end of the spectrum is deliberate negligence. This involves a caretaker or family member deliberately choosing not to provide medication to the elderly individual. Even if the first few times were accidental, refusing to correct the issue can lead to any potential criminal charges being upgraded from negligent to deliberate. These actions taken by their caretakers can lead to a number of serious health issues occurring, especially if the elderly person needs to take daily medication.
If you believe that you or a family member have been a victim of elder abuse, it may be wise to consult with an attorney. An experienced legal professional can seek compensation and justice for what has occurred to your or your family as a result of someone withholding medication.
