Placing a loved one in a nursing home is a difficult thing for family members to go through.
Best case scenario, the family will locate a nursing home that is a good fit for their elderly loved one. A place that is safe and secure – a pleasant facility for a resident to spend his or her golden years.
Unfortunately, not all nursing homes offer this kind of care.
Most people have heard stories of nursing home residents experiencing abuse and neglect while living in an assisting living facility. Residents may be subjected to horrible treatment by nursing home staff. Medication errors may be made. The nutritional needs of a resident may not be met. The resident may be verbally or physically abused.
These are all horrible things for someone to go through. However, there have recently been reports of a new kind of abuse happening that can devastate families.
A New Kind Of Abuse Is Happening At Nursing Homes
Care2.com recently published an article shining light on an appalling trend by nursing home staff to post inappropriate photos of nursing home residents online or on a social media app.
Some nursing home employees have shared demeaning photos of residents on Snapchat, Facebook, Instagram, and other sites:
- In one photo, an employee was holding a resident’s fecal matter in a gloved hand, with a caption that read: “This is what I do at my job.”
- Another photo was taken of a resident’s genitalia.
- A photo was shared showing a nursing home resident wearing pants covered in feces.
- A video was taken of nursing home residents engaging in sexual intercourse.
Nursing home residents are so vulnerable and usually have no way to stop such behavior. Family members who suspect something like this may be happening should immediately act to protect the safety of their loved one.
Nursing homes have a responsibility to provide competent care for residents. This involves taking steps to ensure that no demeaning photos or videos are taken of their residents and shared by employees.
Free consultation: If you believe that a loved one is being abused at a nursing home, talk to an attorney about your legal options. Call our office at 800-594-4884.