When many people think of nursing home abuse and neglect, they imagine incidents such as rough handling or failure to change a bedpan. However, sometimes a cruel sense of humor can lead to abuse in the form of disrespect and other demeaning treatment.
In just one example, nursing staff at California’s Valley View Skilled Nursing Facility covered dementia patients with lubricant from head to toe, making the patients slippery and difficult for staff on the next shift to handle. Following the incident and investigations by the California Attorney General’s Bureau for Elder Abuse, it was determined that four nursing home employees were directly responsible for the prank and two other employees sat by idly and did nothing when they saw their coworkers acting inappropriately. All of the employees, regardless of their role in the incident, were charged with injury to an elder or dependent adult, battery committed on an elder or dependent adult, and battery committed on hospital property.
Abuse Does Not Have to Result in Physical Harm
Although the nursing home patients did not suffer any physical harm as a result of this incident, these were obviously disrespectful acts that are a form of abuse. In the case we are currently pursuing against Rancho Specialty Hospital and Vista Healthcare, LLC, our client suffered many incidents of verbal abuse. A nurse taunted him saying, “you are going to die,” and another nurse would put her mouth by the side of the mattress and make fun of the fact that our client did not have bottom teeth. Our senior citizens should not be made to endure this despicable behavior. The effect on morale, health, and overall wellbeing cannot be denied.
If such behavior is not taken seriously, frequently “pranks” and “jokes” may segue into progressively more daring stunts, which may constitute severe mistreatment of a nursing home resident. In one disturbing case, a nursing assistant and her coworker coerced a patient with dementia and another with mild retardation and schizophrenia into the same bed and attempted to convince them that they were husband and wife. The facility’s security cameras recorded the incident. While behavior like this is shocking, it is all too common, especially when nursing home staff are improperly trained or do not take their jobs seriously. If your family member or friend who is living in a nursing home shows signs of verbal abuse, such as withdrawn or depressed behavior, do not immediately assume that it is solely due to old age or poor health. Ask questions and talk to your loved one’s healthcare providers.
Seek Experienced, Supportive Representation
Too often nursing home workers view residents as tasks to be completed and not people with needs and feelings. Disrespectful treatment may be a form of abuse. Please contact the Law Offices of James R. Gillen for more information nursing home abuse. We are zealous advocates for elder abuse victims and their families.
