Bribery and the Lack of Pain Management and Comfort in Nursing Homes

Pain medications are supposed to be given appropriately, but can be withheld by an abuser so that the resident will comply with bribery.  Once the pain gets bad, a resident may give in to the demands of the abuser just to get the medication needed to take away or decrease their level of pain.  Food and water are two of life’s basic necessities, but they are not guaranteed for nursing home residents.  Because many of these residents are confined to bed or unable to prepare their own meals, they rely on nursing home staff members to provide their food to them at regular intervals.  A nursing home abuser may withhold food until a resident complies with the request of the abuser.  Comfort is important for nursing home residents.  Because elderly people often have a hard time keeping warm, nursing home abusers may choose to withhold blankets, robes, and other types of comfort items until the resident complies with what they have been told to do.  If a resident does not comply, the abuser then continues to keep these items away from the resident.  Activity periods and telephone usage are also important for nursing home residents.  Activity periods allow residents to socialize with each other and to spend some time outside of the confines of their rooms.  Telephone usage allows residents to keep in contact with friends and family members.  If bribery is not complied with, the abuser may not allow residents to attend group activities or may take the telephone out of the resident’s room.  If you feel that your loved one is being subjected to bribery at the hands of a nursing home staff member, contact a San Bernardino nursing home abuse attorney to find out how you can help.