An employee
of a nursing home was arrested for allegedly hitting a resident
who has Alzheimer’s disease. The sheriff’s office said that the 28-year-old employee was arrested at the nursing home for aggravated
battery to a senior citizen for hitting an 87-year-old man who is
resident of the Alzheimer’s unit in the face with a closed fist.
A female nurse from the nursing home called police to report the incident. There were two witnesses to the exchange. “They were having issues with him. He wouldn’t give her a gate belt
back,” the sheriff’s office reported, explaining the belt is a piece of equipment used by
staff to assist them in moving residents.
The accused employee is a certified nursing assistant who’s been employed
at the nursing home since March 17. For more, read the story.
This situation is a
terrible tragedy for the victims and families of the victims. When
someone makes the difficult decision to place a loved one in a nursing
home or assisted living facility, they should be able to trust that the
persons entrusted with their care will not intentionally abuse them.
Many residents are not capable of reporting abuse but still would be
traumatized by it. It is important to investigate any and all signs of
abuse and neglect.
________________________________________________________________
Robert
W. Carter, Jr. is a Virginia attorney whose law practice is dedicated
to protecting the rights of the victims of nursing home and assisted
living neglect and abuse in Richmond, Roanoke, Norfolk, Lynchburg,
Danville, Charlottesville, and across Virginia.
