Witnessed abuse, nothing being done?

[Country_Girl]

I am currently working in an Alzheimer's unit in LTC as a CNA while getting through nursing school...earlier this week I witnessed physical abuse by another aide on a resident, I went to the supervising RN who called the DON. The next morning I was called in to meet with the DON and the executive director to tell them what I saw, they acted very concerned and said this was grounds to call state. I get a call a couple hours later from my DON informing that the girl denied everything and that was that...no further investigation or action. The aide knows that I am the one that reported her so I am now getting harrassed for being a "snitch." Is the DON sweeping this under the rug or is this standard protocal? Advice please!

[DoGoodThenGo]

Well I "resigned" from my position and am looking for PRN position in a hospital, my DON said I need to "toughen up" if I'm going to be a nurse...I reported them to state in the hopes that something will be done about it, but I get the feeling that this is the way most nursing homes are run, only think about money and not the fact that they are taking care of human beings. If standing by and accepting abuse committed against completely defenseless people is nursing than I guess I don't want any part of it!

Good for your for taking the high ground and holding true to your values. Your former DON is wrong, *you* don't need to toughen up, but perhaps she or her's needs to be the one or ones being mistreated to finally get it.

Of course am not wishing evil on the woman, but nothing chuffs my hinnie more than those in nursing or the medical field who abuse those in their charge. No I tell a lie. Worse are those who turn a blind eye and do nothing.

People need to know there for the grace of God go I. All natural things upon this earth age and or become ill. Sooner or later many of us will require some sort of skilled nursing assistance and that is when the danger comes.

The elderly like children are often abused because they often can easily be manipulated into keeping quiet. Fear of retribution even if unfounded is a powerful force and often works to the abuser's advantage.

Sadly the verbal and physical abuse of the elderly and or others in facilities is becoming too common, and little seems is being done to put a stop to it. Just last week two familes in New Jersey filed suit against a nursing home there after two elderly men were found to be covered in bruises apparently caused by abuse from nursing staff. Whomever did the harm was careful to do so where clothing would cover the marks. It wasn't until family members saw the men undressed did the horror come to light.

It isn't just physical and or mental abuse of elderly residents in nursing facilities or under home care. Increasingly they are being conned or scammed out of funds/property, and or their medical information and SSN are stolen and used for ID theft crimes. The biggest thing going on now is filing fake tax returns before the persons can do so themselves.

Another huge and growing crime is using a recently deceased resident's SSN for ID theft purposes. Because it can take days, weeks or even months before a SSN becomes listed on the "deceased list" it gives plenty of time for the active number to be used.