When a loved one enters a nursing home or assisted living facility, families trust the promise of attentive, respectful care. But medication errors are alarmingly common in long-term care, and the consequences can be devastating.
Each year, an estimated 800,000 preventable medication-related injuries occur in U.S. care facilities. From missed doses to dangerous drug interactions, these mistakes often go unnoticed until serious harm occurs.
Older adults are particularly vulnerable. Many take multiple prescriptions, manage chronic conditions, or struggle to advocate for themselves, making accuracy and oversight critical. The residents suffer when long-term care facilities and nursing homes fail in their duty of care.
Learn how these errors happen, what signs to watch for, and what legal protections are available in California.
Mistakes That Put Residents at Risk
Medication management is one of the most critical responsibilities in long-term care, but it’s also one of the most common sources of preventable harm. Nursing home and assisted living medication mistakes can lead to the following issues for residents:
- Receiving the wrong medication or dosage. Staff may administer the wrong medication or dosage due to name confusion, illegible handwriting, or missed label checks. Even minor errors can have serious consequences, especially for residents with chronic health conditions.
- Missed doses. Doses are sometimes missed in busy or understaffed facilities. Skipping medications can disrupt treatment plans, trigger infections, or worsen conditions like diabetes and heart disease.
- Harmful drug interactions. Many residents take multiple prescriptions, often from different providers. Without careful monitoring, dangerous drug interactions can occur, leading to confusion, internal bleeding, or blood pressure complications.
- Failure to watch for side effects or adverse reactions. Even when given the correct medication and dosage, side effects like dizziness, mood changes, or confusion still require close attention. Overlooking these warning signs can lead to emergencies that could have been prevented.
These errors cause serious harm and are usually a sign of administrative, training, or staffing issues.
Why These Errors Keep Happening
Medication errors in nursing homes are rarely isolated incidents—they often reveal broader issues within the facility’s operations. Common contributing factors include:
- Too few staff or a lack of training. Many facilities don’t have enough caregivers, and those on duty may be overworked or undertrained. This often results in rushed medication rounds, overlooked safety protocols, or confusion about correct dosages.
- Poor communication or disorganized records. Staff may miss or repeat doses without clear documentation, especially during shift changes. Some facilities use outdated charts or fail to update medication orders, increasing the risk of error.
- Burnout or neglect. Caregivers facing stress or fatigue may become careless or disengaged. In some cases, medication errors reflect ongoing nursing home neglect, where resident care is routinely deprioritized in favor of speed or convenience.
When these problems aren’t addressed, families must stay vigilant for warning signs of substandard care to help protect their loved ones.
How Medication Mistakes Show Up and What To Watch For
Medication errors aren’t always obvious. The warning signs are often subtle, especially for residents who have trouble communicating or expressing discomfort.
Stay alert for the following signs:
- Sudden falls or injuries. These may happen if a medication causes dizziness, weakness, or blood pressure changes.
- ER visits after recent medication changes. A missed dose or wrong prescription can lead to complications such as low blood sugar, severe pain, or breathing issues that require emergency care.
- Unexplained infections. Skipped antibiotics or incorrect treatment can cause recurring or worsening infections.
- Confusion or disorientation. Sudden mental changes may indicate incorrect dosages or harmful drug interactions.
- Emotional withdrawal or agitation. Mood shifts can be an early sign of a bad reaction to medication.
- Excessive drowsiness. Overmedication or sedatives given at the wrong time may cause unusual sleepiness.
- Worsening mobility. New or adjusted medications may affect balance, coordination, or physical strength.
- Difficulty with daily tasks. If your loved one suddenly struggles with routines they usually manage, medication could be the cause.
- Vague or inconsistent answers from staff. Hesitation or confusion when discussing medications may point to underlying issues.
These symptoms aren’t just a cause for concern—they could indicate serious negligence or even nursing home malpractice. If you’ve noticed any of these signs, it may be time to explore your legal options.
Your Loved One’s Legal Protections in California
California law protects the safety and dignity of elderly residents. If your loved one was given the wrong medication in an assisted living facility or nursing home, you have legal options, such as:
- Elder Abuse and Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act. The EADACPA protects elderly and dependent adults from neglect, including medication errors. Facilities that give the wrong medication or fail to provide necessary prescriptions may be held liable. Families can file civil claims for damages, including pain and suffering and attorney’s fees.
- Health and Safety Code. Statute 1430 allows individuals to sue licensed nursing homes for violations of resident rights, including unsafe or negligent medication practices.
If you’re dealing with a situation like this, talking to an elder abuse attorney in California can help you understand your options. Whether you’re considering a nursing home lawsuit or just trying to get answers, a qualified attorney can guide you through the process and help protect your loved one’s interests.
Steps To Take if You Suspect a Medication Error
Trust your instincts if something feels off about your loved one’s care. Suspecting a medication error—whether it’s a missed dose, overdose, or the wrong prescription—can be alarming, but taking immediate steps can protect both their health and their legal rights to financial compensation.
Here’s what to do:
- Document everything. Write down symptoms, health changes, and all communication with staff or medical providers. Note the exact dates and times. Take photographs and request copies of medical records or prescriptions.
- Report your concerns. Start by speaking with the facility’s administrator or nurse in charge. If your concerns aren’t taken seriously, contact your local long-term care ombudsman, the California Department of Public Health, or the Community Care Licensing Division (CCLD) for assisted living facilities.
- Seek medical attention right away. If your loved one appears unwell—confused, overly sedated, or physically unsteady—get them to a doctor or hospital. A physician may be able to identify a medication error or overdose.
- Consult a California elder neglect lawyer. An attorney can review what happened, gather evidence, and help you understand whether a nursing home or assisted living facility should be held legally responsible. There’s a two-year statute of limitations on filing elder abuse or neglect claims in California.
Acting quickly not only helps prevent further harm to your loved one, but it could also protect other residents from the same mistakes.
Protect Your Loved One’s Rights With Gharibian Law
At Gharibian Law, we’ve helped countless families hold nursing homes and assisted living facilities accountable for neglect, including cases involving medication overdose in elderly residents.
We approach every case with compassion and commitment because we understand what’s at stake when a loved one’s safety, health, and dignity are compromised.
Our mission is simple: deliver real results for families who’ve been failed by institutions meant to protect them. If you suspect a medication error has harmed your loved one, don’t wait. Contact us for a free, confidential consultation.
Respect Your Elders®—and insist on the care they deserve.
