Long-term care facilities are built to house those in need of care and cannot be cared for by family members. It may come to a surprise, but substance abuse is happening in nursing homes. It is a question that many family members ask when they have a loved one in these facilities. It could be difficult to believe that their loved ones can be abusing illicit drugs while they are in these facilities that should be providing care and a safe environment for their residents. Nursing home residents are at risk of negligence and abuse, just like any other person is.
Nursing homes are not only restricted to the elder population, many residents could also be disabled people, as well as young adults who are in rehabilitation. There is a misconception that nursing homes only houses the elder, but that is not true. In fact, there is about 15% of the nursing home residents who are under the age of 65. Because there is a disparity between the age groups and necessities of the residents in these nursing homes, nursing homes are as diverse as any other group within society. The Miami firm knows how substance abuse within nursing homes can derive from negligence.
An elder person in a nursing home requires different care than a younger person in a nursing home. As both groups may require different attention and care, the nursing staff might not be properly trained to handle both extremities. When a nursing staff member cannot satisfy the resident’s basic needs, the residents can sustain substantial damage. Another thing to consider is, how is substance abuse even present in these facilities that should be caring for their residents? Could it be neglect? Could it be a lack of staff members? Many factors can attribute to residents having the ability to abuse substances while they are in a long-term care facility.
Elements that Can Be Done to Reduce Substance Abuse in Nursing Homes
Nursing homes primarily focus on the elderly people and they tend to forget about the other 15% of nursing home residents who are under the age of 65. Because these individuals might not receive the same amount of attention and care, they might find the need to abuse drugs. If they become injured within the facility while abusing drugs, the nursing home facility can be liable for not recognizing that substance abuse was taking place. Here are things that can be done by the long-term care facility to deter substance abuse:
- Training and hiring staff members that have never used drugs
- Training and hiring staff members that do not have any history of mental issues
- Training and hiring staff members that have no criminal record
- Training all staff members to be able to see that substance abuse is taking place and how they should react if an overdose occurs
- Keeping records of medications and monitoring all prescribed drugs
Miami Neglect and Abuse Long-term Care Lawyers
If substance abuse is happening within a nursing home and a resident becomes injured or died as a result, the nursing home facility needs to be held accountable because it should not be happening. Nursing homes need to take precautions and properly train their staff members to recognize that drug abuse is happening. Our Miami personal injury lawyers sees how an overdose can claim the life of a person. It is not something to be taken lightly. Immediate action needs to be taken to reduce substance abuse in nursing homes. The firm is determined to hold these facilities responsible.