HANDLING MEDICATION ERRORS IN NURSING HOMES
GARDENING, GOLD, AND PHOTO SHOOTS 3 FUN FAMILY ACTIVITIES FOR FALL
HOW TO SPOT THIS FORM OF NURSING HOME ABUSE
In order for nursing home residents to be as healthy as they can be, nursing home staff have to operate under the highest degree of accountability in every area of care, including handling residents’ medications. Sadly, that high degree of accountability isn’t found in every nursing home, and many seniors suffer from serious health problems because of medication errors. Medication errors can be fatal, so if you have a relative in a nursing home, you need to learn to see the signs of medication errors so you can hold the nursing home staff accountable. WHAT CONSTITUTES A MEDICATION ERROR? There are a few different ways nursing home staff can make errors and oversights with your loved one’s medication. It could be that they administer the wrong dosage or the wrong drug, which could lead to either an overdose or other serious side effects. A nursing home worker might combine certain drugs that are dangerous when administered together. That person might also fail to check the patient’s background for allergic reactions or health issues with certain drugs before administering something potentially dangerous.
It’s fall, which means social media will soon be saturated with pictures of your friends enjoying “classic” fall activities. Photos of leaf peeping, apple picking, and the occasional scarecrow run rampant. But rather than following the herd, you can make your family the trendsetter of unique fall activities! Here are a few outdoor endeavors your family will love.
GET GARDENING.
Fall is the time for harvest, but if you want to enjoy flowers in the spring, it’s also a time for planting. The cooler autumn air is easier on plants, but the soil is still warm enough for roots to grow before the ground freezes for winter. Tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths are all spring bulbs that need to be planted in the fall. Do a little research with your family to determine the best time to start planting in your area.
PAN FOR GOLD.
Here’s one that’s really off the beaten path: Take your family on an adventure panning for gold! Start by planning a road trip out to an old ghost town. Many of them have great tourist attractions that include gold panning. You probably won’t get rich, but it will still be a fun story. If you’re not able to make the trip, you can always create a gold panning operation at home! Visit MessForLess.net/ panning-for-gold-activity for a great step-by-step guide on how to go panning for gold in your own backyard.
WHAT ARE SOME SIGNS OF MEDICATION ERRORS I CAN LOOK FOR?
Medication errors can affect nursing home patients in a number of ways, but you can keep an eye out for a few general signs: Sudden changes in health conditions, sudden changes in mood, and unexplained health problems could all be a result of medication errors. If your loved one is exhibiting any of these symptoms, you should investigate further.
PLAN A FALL PHOTO SHOOT.
It’s time to freshen up those family pictures hanging around the house. The changing leaves provide a beautiful background for any family portrait. Better yet, the cooler temperatures mean that an outdoor photo shoot won’t be nearly as uncomfortable as it would be in the summer. You can take your pictures by the trees in the front yard or make a daytrip of it. What about pictures at the corn maze or pumpkin patch? It’s never too soon to start planning this year’s holiday card.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I SUSPECT ERRORS? If you have any reason to suspect a medication error, or any form of nursing home abuse for that matter, tell
the nursing home administration immediately. Then, seek medical attention for your loved one and get your hands on a copy of their medical records so you can see which medications they’re supposed to be receiving. Then, give Shuttlesworth Law Firm a call so we can conduct a thorough investigation and make sure you and your loved one get fairly compensated.
Spend this fall outdoors and create great new memories with your family!
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