Stealing Medication

My step-mom was put on hospice care eight months ago for dementia. The nurse that comes to her house to care for her is stealing pain medication every time she comes. My step-mom does not even need them but the nurse keeps ordering and stealing. She has even stopped by on her days off to "count the pills". I told my dad that he needs to call her company but he is afraid of telling on her. What should we do?

— Question from Anonymous Caring.com community member

Expert Answer by Dan Tobin, M.D.

Helpful?

1/1

found this answer helpful.

Dan Tobin, M.D.

Dan Tobin, M.D. is the CEO of Care Support of America, a national service providing telephonic and local nurse counsel to adult children caring for aging parents. Dr. Tobin is the author of books and articles focused on the practical and positive aspects of family caregiving.

Hi:

If you know that someone is stealing pain medication then it is important to do something to change the situation. Your Dad can ask for another nurse to visit his home if he does not want to directly address the issue. He may think of another approach if you speak with him. It is most important to be sure that your Stepmother is getting the right amount of medication and not missing her pain medication treatments.

All the best

Dan Tobin

What did you think about this answer?

Helpful

Didn't Help Me

Helpful

Not Helpful

Inappropriate

Answer

Helpful?

1/1

found this answer helpful.

Tea McAlpin

I am a Hospice CNA and see this all the time. If not the nurse then a caregiver who swears it is the nurse or a family member.It never turns out good. Call the agency and ask that another nurse take the case.You don't have to say why and if they insist tell them you will call in another agency to care for your step-mother if they don't honor your wishes. There are many Hospice agencies out there and all will welcome your family member. Having someone who steals the drugs will also lie about taking them and much much more. Just to give you an example, I found one of our nurses asleep at a stop sign with her foot on the brake, car still running. She had called the office about 20 minutes earlier stating she was headed to another patients house and would arrive in 5 minutes.The office sent me to see if I could find her because I was in the area. She didn't answer her phone because she was high on Ativan stolen from her last patient. Would you want your family member cared for by someone so wacked out on stolen anxiety meds, they fall asleep at a stop sign? Please tell someone or request a new nurse.