What can I do if NH keeps denying my Dad being medicated at night?

Well would you rather have your loved one chemically restraint or physically restraint. I think that chemical is a little softer way. In reality if a confused, agitated patient is trying to climb out of bed and is hitting caregivers who are trying to help something must be done. You can hire a sitter to sit by your loved one for 24/7 but that is not really possible or realistic. An agitated and violent confused person must somehow be contained.

My mom was in rehab and has behaviors such as yelling out and getting out of bed at night and then falling after hip surgery . I was visiting and a nurse came in and gave her 2 pills and within 5 minutes she was in a sound sleep. It is my opinion that they were managing her behavior by drugging her at night. When I asked the head nurse the next day she said it was for her pain, she was just fine and was not showing or expressing pain when she was given medicine to knock her out.

The nursing home my mom was in always informed me of any medication change. I was glad that they always called and got my input. I also looked at their log of drugs that they had for her, to keep on top of things.

Demand that you get a care conference with the provides. They are not going to want to do this but it is your right. Every week hospital staff have meetings to discuss patients and their plan of care - ask to be included in the next one that concerns your family member. On behalf of the nursing staff it is very difficult to wake a person to give him a pill. The timing of his meds may need to be changed and this is all done in the care conference. Be an advocate, do not let them bully you, it is your right.

This is awful, but I am afraid probably not so uncommon, depending on where your parent or loved one is. Have you researched the facility where your dad is? If you feel you are not being 'shot straight' you have a couple of options but probably the best one would be to get him out of there, unfortunately. We had some issues with my mother in law's care and were out of town. When we called to check in with the nursing staff, although we would get 'answers' often we discovered that the entire evening the person we were speaking with, nurse on duty, had not even actually seen her all night. Not good. One thing to look out for is the number of UTI's patients have. This is linked to keeping them catheterized. Another 'easy out' rather than helping them to the bathroom. If you have a fairly cognizant person in a mostly dementia care facility, also, not good. I like the idea of 'popping in' at any time. We wanted to get mil closer to us but she lived in the same town she lived in for 50 years and refused. She was mentally there but physically not. We had to honor her wishes but it was terrible, especially since she had saved and had resources. God bless you.

Yipster7, I read that article from AARP a it is so true. My father was given the same med they talked about. and it didn't do any good. He was put on a different one, but still had this one prescribed on a as needed basis. I talked to the doctor about why this one was still on his med list, and my answer was "because I am the attending physician" Doctors are definitely getting kickbacks for this med, and from what I've read about it, it shouldn't be prescribed for elderly with dementia.

Dear aging1312, This is for you and anyone else that may be reading and has a loved one in a Nursing Home. In this months AARP News Letter there is an article about just what you are asking. It is a widespread issue in this country that NH patients are being given drugs that have this effect and many other effects without the permission of Family. I would suggest you call or go online and see if you can get a copy of the article. It is a very touchy situation when speaking to the NH Staff about such matters, although I don't think it should be if they are not doing anything out of the ordinary.
If you have asked and they have denied, then the only way to find out is thru a complete analysis of drugs in his system. They may or may not agree to have done, if they do not agree at your request then I would be really aggressive in finding out how to follow up and have it done even if you have to do an independent testing. Please note that when you do this you will put them on guard. So you will have to be more on top of things with your Dad than ever.
Have you tried going in unexpectedly at night to see for yourself? You can always say you are concerned and needed to check for yourself. I have found that having a regular schedule in which they are expecting me is not good. If they never know when you are coming it is to your advantage in taking care of your Dad. And after all said and done, if you feel this strongly, I agree you should look into moving him if at all possible.
God Bless you for your Caring and Concern for you Dad, Please keep on top of it and seek any outside help you have available. I hope this has been of some help to you...KEEP UP THE FIGHT FOR YOUR DAD!!!

Simple ask the Nursing Home Administrator who the Ombudsmen, advocate for the elderly, is for their facilty. Also make yourself available for the evening shift and ask for the charge nurse. Squeaky wheel gets the grease. God Bless you for standing up for him.

Contact the DON and schedule a care plan meeting. Now for my mom, her care plan meetings are done every 90 days but if I wanted too I can request one due to a concern I have.

Now the care plan meetings are especially good as in addition to nursing staff, there will also be someone from dietary, activities, social work etc and then you & whatever other family can make it. I would highly recommend that you get all your ? & concerns written down with a space for their answers so that the page can be placed in mom's history chart & have someone with you to take notes while you ask ? and speak on your concerns.

Maggie is spot-on in her answer in that it is likely that stuff is being tweaked. Also those paper (if your person is in a "green" NH) or plastic mini cups are used for about everything as it is sanitary & easier to track each item. So you could find dz in the garbage can but 7 were for sips of water, juice or a bit of applesauce and then the other 5 were for 5 medications (so each pill gets it's own cup).

It was my experience when mom was in a nursing home for two months for rehab that the NH doc changed and tweaked her medication at will. In other words, I didn't know when her meds were changed unless I asked.

Ask for a printout of her meds. Honestly, if you really have lost that much faith in the nursing home that you think they're lying to you about night meds, you should probably move your dad.

Isn't this one to consult APS about? I'm afraid you might find it's a commoner problem than we'd all like to think; but at least they could perhaps give you constructive advice relevant to your location?

Liability

The nursing home keeps a record of all medication given. What med was given and when it was given. Talk to the Director of Nursing and express your concern that your dad is being overmedicated at night, or is being given a medication that you are not aware of.

A lot of people don't realize that when we put our elderly parents in a nursing home the caregiving doesn't stop, it just gets different. Our parents still need advocates. Good for you for being your dad's advocate.