Peck Law Group Raises Concern Over Nursing Home Residents Being Medicated Instead of Properly Cared For

New federal reports highlight antipsychotic use and improper schizophrenia diagnoses in nursing homes

LOS ANGELES, CA, UNITED STATES, May 7, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- The Peck Law Group is raising concern over whether some nursing home residents are being medicated to make them easier to manage instead of receiving proper care and attention.

Recent reports by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General have brought new attention to the issue.

One report found that inappropriate antipsychotic use continues to put nursing home residents at risk, especially residents with dementia. A related report found that some nursing homes gave residents inappropriate schizophrenia diagnoses to hide the misuse of antipsychotic drugs.

The concern is straightforward — some facilities may be giving vulnerable residents powerful drugs that leave them quieter, more sedated, and easier to manage.

The change is often noticeable before it is clearly reflected in the records:
• A loved one who was alert may become unusually drowsy.
• A resident who was engaged may become withdrawn.
• Someone who was communicating may suddenly seem sedated or disconnected.

According to the Peck Law Group, these cases often require a close review of facility records, medication records, hospital charts, physician orders, care plans, and family timelines. That review can help show whether warning signs were missed, whether the medication was properly supported, and whether the resident received the care the situation required.

Steven Peck, Esq., founder of the Peck Law Group, said the issue points to a serious problem. “If there is no clear diagnosis or treatment reason, families should ask whether the medication is being used for treatment or control.”

In one case reviewed by the firm, a 94-year-old woman with dementia was given a powerful psychotropic medication even though the records did not clearly support its use. The stated reason for the medication later changed. After the drug was introduced, she became drowsy and withdrawn, stopped eating and drinking, and continued to decline despite clear warning signs. She was later hospitalized with dehydration, dangerously high sodium levels, and a gastrointestinal bleed. Her condition never recovered, and she later passed away.

Cases like this are devastating because the decline can happen in plain sight. They also raise serious questions about whether the medication was properly justified or used in place of the care and attention the resident truly needed.

About the Peck Law Group
The Peck Law Group represents victims of abuse and neglect throughout California, including cases involving nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other long-term care settings. With more than 60 years of combined experience, the firm focuses on pursuing accountability when vulnerable residents are harmed.

For more information, visit premierlegal.org.

Jill Hamilton
Peck Law Group
+1 866-999-9085
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