A harrowing tale out of Mount Pleasant a few weeks ago serves as a reminder that nursing home abuse can happen to any elderly person living in an institutional setting.
The Post and Courier reported in December that a 101-year-old man living at the Mount Pleasant Manor nursing home was allegedly the victim of sexual and physical abuse at the hands of a nursing home employee.
A 44-year-old North Charleston man was charged with abuse of a vulnerable adult in connection with an incident that happened December 6 at the nursing home.
The elderly man’s granddaughter had hired a private investigator to place a hidden camera in her grandfather’s room after he complained of being assaulted, according to an affidavit quoted by the newspaper.
“Video taken December 6 shows [the North Charleston man] hitting and poking the man, pulling his arm and kissing his cheek, according to the affidavit and the victim’s attorney,” the newspaper said.
It’s a sad truth that nursing home residents are some of society’s most vulnerable individuals. They can be easy targets for abuse and neglect, often out of confidence on the part of the abuser that they will not speak up about the mistreatment, either because they are too ill or because they are embarrassed or don’t want to get anyone in trouble.
It is usually up to a nursing home resident’s family members to look out for their interests. Frequently visiting a loved one who is in a nursing home and maintaining awareness of their physical and mental condition is the best was to prevent a loved one from falling victim to serious abuse or neglect.
If you do recognize signs of abuse or neglect in a nursing home resident, alert a member of the nursing home’s management staff of your concerns. In life-threatening situation, dial 911.
Our South Carolina nursing home abuse and neglect attorneys at Joye Law Firm can help you, too. We help people who have been injured by others recover compensation to assist them in their recovery. Contact us at 888-918-4964 or complete our online form for a free review of your case.
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