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My mother is 96 years old and has dementia. She has been in a NH-Rehab because she stopped walking. I've had her personal HHA go there every day to keep her company and to have a familiar face around. Her personal HHA has been bathing, dressing, toileting her, and making her bed. Whenever she asks for help, because she can't handle my mother alone, she is told by the CNA that she's busy and will help her later. Then she never comes. On the rare occasion that the CNA does come to help she is abusive and disrespectful to my mother. She handles her roughly and barks orders at my mother. When she puts my mother on the toilet she drops her instead of lowering her gently. When my mother's HHA got there this morning she found my mother in bed with only a diaper on. My mother's personal HHA took a picture of my mother so I could see what was going on. I was furious and left work to speak with the Director of Nurses. They took down all the info and told me that they take this very seriously and will investigate the matter. They said that this aide will no longer take care of my mother. Any helpful suggestions will be appreciated.

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Report it. There should be large posters, by law in the facility w numbers you can call. Are you visiting her?
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I'm sorry I was hasty to answer. 18555003537. That's the elder abuse hotline.
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You've gone to the right person. See what the response is. If you're not satisfied, take it further.

I can imagine how upset you must be about this; and also how upset your mother's HHA is, too (good for her, using her initiative like that). Leaving her undressed, even in bed, is disgraceful; no excuse. I hope you get a constructive and meaningful reply from the Director very soon.
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I visit her every evening and on Saturdays & Sundays (I work full-time) but when I'm there everyone is nice.
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GinGin, maybe it is just one bad apple. It happens, even in the best-run places. If so, and she's not going near your mother again, then problem solved. I hope so.
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I am so sorry this happened to your Mom. You did the right thing. If it is not corrected immediately, go higher up the chain of command. If it still doesn't stop, call a lawyer! Best of luck to you and Mom.
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I don't know what is allowed as far as how to handle it, but I would do more than make sure she was not near my mother; I would make sure she lost her job. A person like that has NO BUSINESS in the same building as the elderly, much less caring for them. I would report her, I would contact an attorney... but that's me... I would be so livid I would not be able to see straight. Maybe I am not the best person to advise on this.. ?
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I am livid too! If I don't get a satisfactory reply to my complaint I will most definitely take it further
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Please keep us updated on what's happening with this. The person in care of your mother is either A) overstressed and "over" her job; or B) sadistic, uncaring and cruel (imo); or C) a wicked combination of both.
There is NO excuse for what happened. Zero. None.
Please come back telling us she lost her job. I am really concerned thinking she's still working the halls of the place.
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Gingin you did all the right things. If you are not satisfied contact your States health board they take these complaints very seriously and will investigate. keep the photograph and have your Aide write up a description of the things she has noticed. it is better if the person who actually saw the abuse put it down in their own words.
While these Aides typicall have too many patients to care for and get burned out dealing with the elderly and demented there is no excuse for this type of behaviour.
On a side note it is often very difficult to keep clothes on demented patients. At the stage where they have stopped walking the dementia is far advanced and they don't know what they are doing. I am sure you are upset and angry and quite rightly but maybe you should pay a visit unanounced at different times of the day and see what you observe with your mother and other patients.
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This is really saddening, there will always be those people who does not know how to treat an elder. Abuse and maltreatment among long term care recipients in any LTC facility should be communicated to the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program staff and volunteers in your state of residence since they are mandated to act as the watchdog and look after the welfare of long term care residents. Don't let this pass and make sure that they will take immediate actions. If the action they took is just to provide your mother with a new CNA, then it means that she is still employed there and might be abusing other elders. This has to stop, I am really bothered by cases of elder abuse. As to your Mom, make sure to conduct stress reduction since she might have experience stress and even depression during the abuse, infolongtermcare posted a list of guide on how to prevent abuse. I hope it will not happen anymore.
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Thanks, Veronica. My mother is a very modest person, even in her dementia. She also cannot dress or undress herself. They are putting all of the CNAs through training again focusing on patients with dementia. My mother now has a very kind CNA who is bathing, dressing and toileting her. The investigation is ongoing and I usually get one call a day from the NH telling me what they are doing.
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Things sounds as though they are going in the right direction due to your vigilence.
Hope Mom is content.
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Gingin I'd be livid too! The nursing home can be fined for elder abuse. I am sure you will not be seeing that aide around ..... she will however show up at another facility or end up doing home health care. You did the right thing and it is wonderful to see the DON took action and NH is following up. Sounds like you might need a plan after discharge if the HHA can not care for her alone.
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