Two caregivers no longer are employed at a California senior living community after they reportedly abused a 90-year-old woman with dementia who moved there to avoid a wildfire near her home. The alleged abuse was captured by a hidden camera placed in the resident’s room by her family, unbeknownst to the community, according to a complaint filed with the state.
The complaint, filed Sept. 10 with the California Department of Consumer Affairs by the Sacramento-based Foundation Aiding the Elderly, accuses Brookdale Folsom in Folsom, CA, of elder abuse, failure to protect a resident from physical harm, lack of dignity, insufficient staffing, and leaving the resident unattended after a fall.
According to the document, the woman’s family moved her into the assisted living and memory care community Aug. 21 when her home was threatened by the Caldor Fire. Shortly after arriving, the family installed a video camera due to concerns about the type of care their relative was receiving. Sept. 2, the family saw video evidence that the resident had been “brutally attacked” by two employees, the complaint stated.
“They slapped her, pulled her hair, tormented her and laughed at her,” the report read. Earlier that morning, video also reportedly showed the woman lying on the floor in her room for almost an hour before someone helped her up.
A Brookdale Senior Living spokeswoman said the company takes any allegations “very seriously” and considers having the trust of its residents and families “vital.”
“Inappropriate conduct or behavior is not tolerated and is dealt with appropriately,” the spokeswoman told McKnight’s Senior Living. “The individuals involved are no longer with the company, and we are cooperating with the authorities.”
The spokeswoman added that Brookdale has “thorough employment standards” in place, including background checks and ongoing training in compliance with state rules and regulations.
The family filed a police report with the Folsom Police Department, and the resident was transferred to Mercy Folsom Hospital, where she is on “comfort care,” according to FATE President Carole Herman.
According to the Sacramento Bee, Sharan Umlesh Kaur was arrested and charged with felony elder abuse. No criminal charges have been filed against the second worker reportedly seen on the video.
