Hidden camera images obtained from a skilled nursing care center in Cleveland, Ohio, show disturbing footage of nursing aides manhandling a 78-year-old Alzheimer’s patient. According to a Channel 3 news report, the nursing home, Prentiss Center for Skilled Nursing Care, is under fire after the hidden camera installed by the patient’s son caught caregivers brutally abusing his elderly mother. One of the aides is seen on the hidden camera throwing the patient from her chair on to the bed and in another instance throwing her back on to the chair and then jabbing her on the face. That aide has been charged with felony assault and has pleaded not guilty. The other woman, who is seen almost dropping the patient due to rough handling, has also been fired from her job.
The woman’s son installed the camera after nursing home administrators ignored his complaints that his mother was being mistreated at the facility. Family members say the videos have devastated them emotionally. Nursing home administrators say they had actually looked into the son’s claims, but did not find any wrongdoing. The son said the videos proved to be the smoking gun and that he wished they had done something sooner.
Nursing home abuse is an unfortunate and sad reality. There may be several reasons why such abuse may take place in a nursing home. In some cases, these facilities do not perform proper background checks on their employees. Other nursing homes keep their facilities understaffed or hire unqualified nursing aides in order to save money. When a facility is filled with underpaid and overworked nursing aides, there is an environment created that is ripe for abuse and neglect.
Victims of nursing home abuse would be well advised to seek the counsel of an experienced lawyer who will fight for their rights and ensure that the wrongdoers are held accountable. This type of abuse against our elderly is absolutely unacceptable. If your loved one has been abused or neglected in a nursing home, please contact the Oklahoma nursing home abuse attorneys at the Maples Law Firm. Please contact us at (405) 705-5050 for a free and comprehensive consultation.
