NH res with criminal history, sex offender

[Betty_SPN_KS, LPN]

One of our NH residents has a history of being a registered sex offender. Last evening we found out that someone has apparently told another resident that he was a child molester (as if she needed to know), and she was worried, upset and frightened to be sitting next to him in her wheelchair in the living area. Both residents have dementia and disability (he just sits and doesn't do anything anymore, although the young CNAs often do not like to assist him alone because of the way he sometimes looks at them). All I could think to do was tell her I'm sorry someone said that (neither affirming nor denying it), and that he was not able to harm anyone. I took her to her room and turned on her TV. She wanted to call her daughter, but I tried to redirect her. I was concerned about the daughter hearing about the guy's history and asking us questions about things that should be confidential, or at least not my place to tell other residents or family members, even though they could look up the guy on the 'net and find out he is a registered sex offender.

We were not told about it when he first was admitted to the facility, but some staff recognized him from news reports in the past.

I and several of our staff were upset that a staff member would tell another resident about this, and I left a message for my DON about it.

[begalli]

While I think it would be hard for me to care for a person such as this (maybe I'd rather not know), I think the employee who told the other resident about this should be severly reprimanded or fired.

[jeepgirl, LPN, NP]

good for you for trying to redirect her. i think you did good in the situation you were put in... i don't think i could have done as well when put on the spot like that. good job.

whoever told it shouldn't have. period.

[flashpoint]

I find it hard to care for people who I know have such a history. They still get the same care that anyone else would get...and sometimes extra TLC, because I know they are lacking it and some of my coworkers don't or can't or won't give it. However...I try not to go in those rooms alone...I generally think that I have the upper hand since the patient is ill or injured or whatever, but havinga witness not only protects me in case they would think I am rude or not giving the patient the best care and it protects them because people generally don't try anything inappropriate if there is a witness.

[Blackcat99]

I don't think a registered sex offender should be in a nursing home with the innocent elderly people. We have a sex offender at my nursing home but he is required to have a 1:1 person with him at all times 24 hours a day. I think the innocent elderly people have a right to know if they are living with a registered sex offender. Would you want to place your family member in a place that allows registered sex offenders? Not me. The elderly people need to be protected from sex offenders period.

[jeepgirl, LPN, NP]

I don't think a registered sex offender should be in a nursing home with the innocent elderly people. We have a sex offender at my nursing home but he is required to have a 1:1 person with him at all times 24 hours a day. I think the innocent elderly people have a right to know if they are living with a registered sex offender. Would you want to place your family member in a place that allows registered sex offenders? Not me. The elderly people need to be protected from sex offenders period.

The guy has already done his time or he'd still be in jail, prison, whatever.

If that is the case, no one convicted of any crime should be in residential care. Murders (for any reason, whatsoever!), robbers. Drug dealers. I think my grandma should be protected from drug dealers. Or former pimps. Yeah, they shouldn't be allowed in residental care.

Let's go farther. You know, the ex sailor who beat up a guy when he was drunk when he was twenty? That's a violent crime. He shouldn't be allowed in residential care either. Or the guy who used to beat his wife. He shouldn't be in residential care either... he could become delusional and beat up grandma too.

You can't deny someone services because of something they did in their past.

I do not like it that people are child molesters. It makes me sick to my stomach. I would rather not know, because it would effect my care. But they are people too. And if the people in all above senarios are allowed into residental care, he should be also. If he's done his time and is following the rules such as registering, leave the guy alone. Unless, that is, you think he's assulting someone. Otherwise, respect his rights. He has some as well.

[z's playa]

The guy has already done his time or he'd still be in jail, prison, whatever.

If that is the case, no one convicted of any crime should be in residential care. Murders (for any reason, whatsoever!), robbers. Drug dealers. I think my grandma should be protected from drug dealers. Or former pimps. Yeah, they shouldn't be allowed in residental care.

Let's go farther. You know, the ex sailor who beat up a guy when he was drunk when he was twenty? That's a violent crime. He shouldn't be allowed in residential care either. Or the guy who used to beat his wife. He shouldn't be in residential care either... he could become delusional and beat up grandma too.

You can't deny someone services because of something they did in their past.

I do not like it that people are child molesters. It makes me sick to my stomach. I would rather not know, because it would effect my care. But they are people too. And if the people in all above senarios are allowed into residental care, he should be also. If he's done his time and is following the rules such as registering, leave the guy alone. Unless, that is, you think he's assulting someone. Otherwise, respect his rights. He has some as well.

Well said jeepgirl! :balloons:

[knockandhello]

Staff should be made aware if a sex offender is admitted to their care facility.Correct me if I'm wrong, but the recidivism rate in Paedophilia is high.My biggest concern would be young children on the premises visiting their elderly relatives.Would the facility or staff be held accountable if, Heaven forbid,some young child was assulted in any manner by this particular resident.Isn't there duty of care in providing a safe and secure enviroment, not only for residents and staff but also visitors of all ages.Have been in a similar situation where a person serving time was transferred to our facility, supposedly requiring a higher level of care than the prison facility could provide.This was done by management and the nurse manager.Staff were made aware after arrangements were made for this gentleman to be transferred to our facility.This caused much consternation amongst the staff, as some members had experienced sexual assult of a similar nature.2 staff at all times attended to this man.Fortunately his health status improved remarkably when no longer imprisoned, and he was returned to the prison facility from whence he came.It was very trying to deliver care to this man as I had been in a situation where my partner had sexually molested my children.I was very careful to ensure he recieved the best care that I could give but there was no socialisation involved.My worst times were during visiting hours.We felt we had to police the situation if young children were on the premises.Un fortunately I don't think there is anywhere that has facilities geared for just these individuals.Who would want to staff them anyway?

[ICUsleep]

I agree that the pt. deserves the right to equal care, and it seems innappropriate IF his history was revealed to a resident by someone working in the facility.

As far as his right to privacy, I guess it depends on what state you live in. In Florida, they show photos of registered sex offenders who reside in our area on TV with their name and address so I don't think it could get any more public; that is part of their sentence for committing sex crimes and getting to live in the free world instead of jail, so boo-hoo.

The pt's history could have been found by someone other than someone working there, and actually the other residents may have a right to know about his history. It probably violates HIPPA if an employee volunteers this information to another patient. Then again, public record can be discussed by anyone to anyone.

This is one of those weird blurry lines, and I commend the poster for redirecting the concerned patient and also for not immediately saying "no, he is not an offender". It isn't his right to be protected from dirty looks from other patients; it is only his right to receive equal care by the staff. No patients there have to pretend to like him.

[JHUBRAIN]

I do think staff should know and yes he should be watched

- You can say what you want but this mans crimes has made him a "Reg. Sex Offender" - They are Reg. to protect the public at large.

Yes he does deserve care, but staff should be aware of such things to monitor his behavior.

JHUBRAIN

[balloons:

[LydiaNN]

The only thing I would agree with here is that staff had no business sharing that story. I can certainly understand why the residents would be concerned, and want to talk to their family members about this. As for this guy and his rights, as far as I'm concerned, just because he's done his time doesn't buy him the right to respect from other people. It means the state can't keep punishing him, but it doesn't mean that anyone else needs to feel anything other revulsion towards him. Consequences have actions everywhere in life, not just in the criminal justice system!

[z's playa]

How does anybody know what this guy is feeling? How do you know he isn't feeling so bad about what he did and is continually repenting inside? What if he was reformed? What if the system worked? I can't believe the callousness of some of these responses.

What if all he wants is a friend. Doesn't everyone deserve a friend...even the people...that's right...people..... who did an awful thing in the PAST?

I know he did some pretty terrible things with no regard for those he was hurting but................... my heart hurts for this man at this moment.