• Home
• Practice Areas
• Our Office
• Library
• FAQs
• Case Results
• Testimonials
• Resources
• Contact Info

How Serious Mental Health Errors Occur in Virginia Nursing Homes

Physical ailments are often more evident than mental health issues among residents in crowded nursing homes. Nursing home residents’ mental health issues may include mood disorders, psychotic disorders, personality disorders, and even addictions. When serious mental health issues are left untreated in busy Virginia nursing homes, sick patients do not receive proper treatment until it is too late. However, nursing home staff are required to provide proper care to the residents. In fact, in accordance with the Nursing Home Reform Act, federal law provides nursing home patients with the right to accommodations of their medical, physical, psychological, and social needs. Therefore, if your loved one’s mental health issues have gone unnoticed and untreated, contact a Norfolk nursing home neglect attorney, as your loved one may be a victim of nursing home neglect and abuse due to the lack of proper care.

Common mental health mistakes that occur in Virginia nursing homes for which you can file a nursing home neglect complaint include:

• Sedatives. Medications are prescribed to sedate nursing home residents with conditions such as depression or Alzheimer’s; these medications do not help control the actual disorder or disease, but rather just quiet the patient.
• Over-medication. Over-medicating residents is a common practice that causes serious side-effects, such as confusion, drowsiness, and other mental health issues. Unfortunately, these side-effects are often left untreated.
• Alternative Treatments. Medications are prescribed before alternative treatments are tried on residents who are sick. Virginia nursing homes are so understaffed that staff do not take the time to involve residents in social or recreational activities that could help with conditions like depression or other mood disorders.

The federal Nursing Home Reform Act also protects residents from abuse, mistreatment, and neglect. If you believe that your loved one has been a victim of nursing home abuse or neglect in a Virginia nursing home, contact an experienced Norfolk nursing home neglect lawyer right away. Attorney Michael Weisberg has been protecting the rights of the elderly for over forty years. Elderly residents do not deserve to be victims of Norfolk nursing home neglect and abuse; contact Attorney Michael Weisberg, who will fight vigorously for your loved one. Call the law office toll free at (800) 690-0235, or complete the contact form on this page for a free consultation.

• Home
• Practice Areas
• Our Office
• Library
• FAQs
• Case Results
• Testimonials
• Resources
• Contact Info