The elderly often have a long list of medications that they need to maintain good health and live comfortably. They also depend on the staff of their nursing home to distribute and monitor their medications properly. As nursing home abuse lawyers, we know that most elder abuse and neglect is most of the time an abuse of power. We have seen many cases where caretakers or nursing home staff takes advantage of their access to medications and medical supplies for their own benefit or drug habit. Stealing medications that were intended for the elderly or disabled is both a criminal act and neglect of the patients who need those medications. These caretakers are abusing their position for their own gain, which cannot be tolerated.
Care Worker Steals and Uses Pain Medication While on Duty
Peggy Ballinger, a 55-year-old former care provider at the Alois Alzheimer Center, is facing charges after being accused of stealing pain medications from her Alzheimer’s patients. She is being charged with two counts of theft, two counts of deception to obtain a dangerous drug and two counts of illegal processing of drug documents. She falsified the facility’s drug logs, used a preprinted blank prescription, and stole Percocet and Vicodin. Ballinger is even being accused by a co-worker of consuming the drugs and being high while on duty at the care facility. She was arrested late on Monday, November 21 and is scheduled for an arraignment this week.
Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia
If your loved one is being taken advantage of, not given the medications they need, or you believe the care they are receiving is abusive or negligent, you should contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation. You may also call for a free consultation with one of our nursing home abuse lawyers at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, and (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.