Stop abusing our elders

I work with people of all ages, but mostly those over the age of 50.

I see people in all stages of life including the end of life and often times in distress. Mostly in distress because they are having trouble hearing and I can usually help with that.

Yesterday I saw one of our elders fast asleep in their chair when I went to the waiting room to get them. No biggie, that happens quite often. But, they had to be aroused awake just to walk back to see me. Then as we went through the appointment which had to be cut short, they went back to sleep to the point of arms hanging on the sides of the chair and head hanging. They had to be shaken awakened at least 3 or 4 times. The family says that this is the worse they have ever seen them and it was certainly the worst for me. I tried my best not to cry during the appointment, although I can't stop the tears now.

It appears that this person is being over medicated. I know this is not a new phenomenon, but it is new to me and my patients. I know that working in the nursing home is hard work where there is little pay and little recognition of the hard work it takes to care for our elders. I also recognize that until something is said, the abuse and neglect will go on. It is often times not the fault of the workers --- nurses, aides and doctors -- it is the fault of management who takes money from the families and the insurance companies and doesn't use it to actually care for the patients, but to line their pockets.

I'm gonna do my part and report what I saw. I hope that this person will get the continued care they need. I also hope that we find better ways to care of this vulnerable group of people.

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