A 21-year-old man was arrested for allegedly throwing water and shoes at an 86-year-old nursing home patient. The man was also accused of threatening to use a stuffed animal to sexually violate the woman. This nursing home abuse case did not happen in Pennsylvania, but it is a severe example of just how bad such incidents can get.
The nursing home employee has been criminally charged with stalking and second-degree abuse of a vulnerable adult. If convicted of the vulnerable adult abuse, he could be sentenced to prison for four years. If convicted of stalking, he could be sentenced to one year in prison. At this time, the man is still in detainment and his bond was set at $25,000.
The nursing home resident who was attacked suffers from Alzheimer's disease. Her family checked her into the nursing home last year. The woman called her family on multiple occasion to complain of the abuse while crying and asking to get out of the facility. However, the nursing home staff told the family that it was only her disease taking its toll and not to worry.
Later, the family visited the woman and found her room to be in complete disarray. Items were broken throughout the room, and the family knew that prior to checking her into the facility, nothing of the sort had ever occurred. Now, the family says that they wished they had given their mother's stories more credit.
Pennsylvania residents who are victimized by nursing home abuse may have strong claims to seek financial restitution for their injuries. In some dire circumstances, the abuse leads to death, in which case family members can seek wrongful death claims. The tragedy of nursing home abuse is definitely something that can be addressed by the courts. No one should ever have to be subjected to such harsh treatment, especially the vulnerable and infirm.
Source: woodtv.com, "Caregiver charged with abusing, stalking assisted living home patient", May 29, 2015