On May 13 a Montgomery County, Ohio, grand jury indicted a Dayton nursing home employee on a felony charge of patient abuse.
Norma Black, 70, is scheduled to appear in court for arraignment on May 28. She is charged with hitting a patient at the Arbors at Dayton Subacute and Rehabilitation Center in Dayton, whiotv.com reports. According to the indictment, the abuse occurred in March 2012.
Wes Ramsey, an administrator at Arbors at Dayton, said Black was an activity assistant at the nursing home from 2007 until March 23, 2012. In a statement released Wednesday, Ramsey said, “If an allegation of misconduct is made, we conduct a thorough internal investigation.” Black’s “employment was suspended during our investigation and her employment was terminated. All appropriate licensing agencies were notified as well.” Ramsey said the company has “zero tolerance for employee misconduct, especially when it involves abuse or neglect,” according to whiotv.com.
Incidents of abuse and neglect are a serious concern for residents of nursing and rehabilitation facilities and their families. Many patients, especially those with dementia or those who have suffered strokes, have difficulty communicating the kind of treatment they receive. Others are reluctant to report abuse for fear of retaliation. Elder care advocates urge family and friends to be alert to the signs of abuse and neglect and promptly report suspected mistreatment.
