• 25
  • October
    2011

It's bad enough when nursing home employees abuse or disrespect residents. The situation can be made even worse, however, when staff attempts to cover up such incidents. That's apparently what happened at a Wisconsin nursing home recently, and the alleged abuse is now being uncovered.

According to WEAU's website, a recent inspection at the Oakridge Osseo Nursing Home, which is affiliated with the Mayo Clinic Health System, revealed the alleged nursing home abuse.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services reportedly received a complaint about the nursing home in September. It's not entirely clear what prompted the complaint, but it appears to be regarding an incident, or incidents, involving verbal abuse, rudeness and disrespect. The complaint apparently led to the investigation, which is described as routine.

A spokesperson for Mayo Clinic Health System says that findings of the investigation have uncovered possible verbal abuse. In addition, because the alleged abuse was not reported when it should have been, several nursing home employees have apparently been terminated.

Administrators with the Mayo Clinic Health System planned to meet with families and residents of the nursing home if they would like additional information regarding the incident, according to WEAU.

While verbal abuse or disrespect may not result in physical harm to nursing home residents, it can dampen their enjoyment of daily life and even lead to depression. In sum, it can certainly affect their well-being. Those who negatively impact patients should be held accountable.

Source: WEAU, "Alleged abuse uncovered at local nursing home," Aaron Dimick, Oct. 18, 2011