Study Says Patients With Dementia Are Allowed To Suffer Without Pain Medication

Filed under: Abuse

Mon, 05/05/2008 - 14:57 by Administrator

Nursing home abuse takes many forms, perhaps the most reprehensible form of elder abuse is to allow continued suffering.  This new for of abuse stems from a desire to drive profits. Many nursing home operators are neglecting to provide residents suffering from dementia pain medications that would ease their suffering.  Patients with dementia or alzheimers are unable to speakup for themselves.  Many suffer from painful conditions as a result of nursing home abuse or nursing home negligence, including bedsores, painful contractures, malnutrition annd other serious conditions.

A study published by the University of North Carolina  found that patients suffering from dementia or other mental cognitive disabilities were 50% less likely to receive medications for pain than those who did not have these conditions.   Thousands of our elders are suffering needlessly in order to profit unscrupulous operators.