Five former employees of a Pittsburgh nursing home facility, Kane Regional Center’s Glen Hazel, were recently arrested for abusing an elderly patient. The five individuals were all charged with with nursing home abuse and neglect.
According to reports, Thelma Bryant, 94, was a longtime resident of the facility. The individuals arrested in this case allegedly engaged in physical and emotional abuse against Bryant several times. Reports indicate the defendants engaged in the following criminal acts against Bryant:
- Punched her
- Cursed at her
- Threw oranges at her
Visitors Alarmed by the Abuse Allegations
Several individuals who visit friends and family members that are also residents at the nursing home facility were interviewed regarding the abuse. According to the reports, they all said they were saddened to hear that the employees had abused Bryant.
For instance, De Mackowski said she visits a friend who is a resident in the facility several times a month. Although she said she is not shocked at the allegations, she said she is very sad to hear what happened.
Mackowski noted that she believes patients who do not have visitors on a regular basis are more susceptible to abuse. She does not believe her friend has been the victim of abuse or neglect.
Types of Nursing Home Abuse
In this particular case, the defendants are being charged with physical and emotional abuse; however, there are several types of abuse that takes place within nursing homes. These include:
- Physical abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Emotional abuse
- Nursing home neglect
- Abandonment
- Financial, material exploitation
- Self-neglect