When you make the decision to put a loved one into an assisted living facility, you expect that person to receive the best of care, especially since you are usually paying a lot of money each month for it. However many families are finding that they have to conduct their own investigation when nursing home abuse is suspected. It is therefore important for family members to pay attention to any kind of changes such as bruises, bedsores and signs of neglect.
A 55-year-old woman who worked at a nursing home in the Bronx was arrested after a patient’s granddaughter installed a small video camera in the room. The woman was allegedly recorded abusing the 89-year-old woman, slamming her into the bed, twisting the patient’s arm, and pushing her into the metal railing that was attached to the bed.
The patient, who has Alzheimer’s, had suspicious bruises showing up on her forehead and hand. The granddaughter made complaints to the management that she says were never followed up on. The caretaker was charged with abuse and the patient was transferred to a different facility.
It is unknown whether the granddaughter intends to file a lawsuit against the facility for the nursing home negligence. Luckily, she took it upon herself to find out what was going on in the facility before her grandmother suffered any serious injuries from the physical abuse. This is a good reminder that family members should be diligent in following up on any concerns they have over their loved one’s treatment at a private home. If a family member does find evidence of abuse or neglect, they may want to speak with an attorney to discuss their legal rights.
Source: New York Daily News, “New York woman uses hidden camera to bust caregiver violently ‘twisting’ and ‘slamming’ her elderly 89-year-old grandmother,” Lee Moran, Feb. 19, 2013