Failure to Protect Residents from Verbal Abuse by Another Resident
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to protect residents from verbal abuse by another resident, resulting in two residents being subjected to inappropriate and abusive language. One resident, who was cognitively intact and admitted with chronic pain and muscle weakness, reported that another resident entered their room, used profanity, and called them names. This resident also described a separate incident where the same individual made a derogatory comment while the resident was going to the shower. Staff confirmed that the abusive resident verbally attacked this resident and made fat jokes, and the Director of Nursing Services acknowledged the behavior as inappropriate. Another resident, admitted with Alzheimer's disease and a cognitive communication deficit, was also subjected to verbal abuse by the same resident. During an incident, staff overheard the abusive resident making derogatory statements, including saying that "you people need to go to fucking jail" and referring to others as "fucking crazies." Staff described the behavior as rude and verbally abusive, and the Director of Nursing Services confirmed the inappropriateness of the conduct. The facility did not prevent or adequately address these incidents, resulting in residents being exposed to verbal abuse.