Nursing Home Patient Sprayed with Bleach by Worker in Cherry Hill

Recently, a nursing home worker made headlines for abusing and spraying a patient with bleach in Cherry Hill. Although many were shocked and horrified by this news that came to light, the reality is that many nursing home residents face abuse daily. This is because elderly nursing home patients are vulnerable, making them the perfect target for abusive workers to take their anger and frustrations out on.

While family members often have a difficult time deciding to depend on nursing homes and their staff members to care for their elderly loved ones, nothing can prepare them for the horrible abuse that occurs at these facilities.

The details behind the Cherry Hill nursing home incident

A recent news article published by Patch Media provides insight into the abusive incident that took place at a Cherry Hill nursing home. A 34-year-old woman named Simone Goldsboro sprayed a nursing home resident with bleach at Dwellside Care & Rehab, where she worked. The daughter of the resident contacted the police and informed them about the incident and also explained that Goldsboro regularly harmed and assaulted her parent. She stated to the police that she witnessed the nursing home worker frequently being rough with her parent and even saw her spray liquid on them. To back up her story, she provided recorded video footage that showed Goldsboro abusing her parent by pulling her hair, spraying liquid on her face and body, and pulling her clothing over her head and body in an aggressive manner.

The responding officers interviewed Goldsboro about the incident. During the interview, she never admitted to any fault but stated that the spray bleach bottle was not authorized to be in the patient’s room. In August, Goldsboro was charged with aggravated assault.

Do Cherry Hill nursing home residents have rights?

Yes, Cherry Hill nursing home residents have rights. It is the nursing home and its employees’ duty to ensure that their residents’ rights remain protected at all times. A few of the rights that nursing home patients have include:

• The right to be free from all types of abuse, including physical, mental, and sexual abuse and neglect
• The right to live in a safe and clean environment
• The right to medical treatment and medical management of illnesses, diseases, conditions, and pain
• The right to live in an environment that is not overstaffed and cannot meet their needs and provide necessary nursing home care
• The right to be treated with respect and kindness
• The right to visit and speak with family and friends
• The right to privacy when visiting with family, a spouse, or other visitors

What signs should I keep an eye out for if I suspect that my family member is being abused at a nursing home?

It is important to be aware of signs and symptoms that may indicate that your family member is being abused at a nursing home. This ensures that you know what to look for and when to take appropriate action to stop the abuse and get your family members the help that they need. Here are some of the signs you should keep an eye out for if you suspect that your family member is being abused at a nursing home:

• Unexplained bruises and cuts on the body
• Unexplained broken bones, sprains, dislocations, and other injuries
• Unexplained hospital visits
• Constantly running out of medications early or late
• Marks on ankles or wrists indicating restraints have been used
• Broken personal items, such as jewelry, glasses, or other prized possessions
• Bruising or cuts near the genital area
• Constant unexplained genital infections or sexually transmitted diseases
• Blood on underwear or clothing
• Showing signs of being afraid of a worker or resident
• Unwilling to be alone with a worker or resident
• Extreme isolation or closed-off
• Seeming more emotional or angrier than usual
• Unwilling to participate in normal activities or routine
• Behavior or mood swings
• Continuously being told excuses for injuries or marks found

Are there certain steps I can take if I suspect or witness nursing home abuse?

Many people who suspect or witness nursing home abuse are shocked and devastated. Therefore, they may not know what to do or how to react to these situations, causing intense confusion and continued abuse. However, you must take the proper steps as quickly as possible to protect your loved one from nursing home abuse and get them the help that they need. The following are the steps you can take in this situation:

• Kindly and gently approach your loved one about the abuse. Do not push too hard or pressure them to talk about it if they do not want to. However, you should tell them you are there to listen when they are ready.
• Take your loved one to the doctor or hospital for medical attention and treatment.
• If you believe that your loved one is at risk of being severely harmed or injured, you should call 9-1-1 immediately and make a report. You can also remove your loved one from the facility right away.
• Report the abuse to the nursing home. You should inform the nursing home about your concerns and find out how they will handle the issue.
• Start documenting the abuse. This means taking photos, recording videos, writing in a journal about what you see or what your loved one tells you, gathering medical records and reports, asking witnesses for statements, and more.
• Contact the police and inform them about the abuse. Provide all the evidence you have obtained to support your report and be available to answer any questions the officers may have throughout their investigation.
• Speak with a lawyer with experience, skills, and knowledge in nursing home abuse. They can help you obtain compensation to cover your loved one’s losses due to the abuse.

How do I report nursing home abuse in Cherry Hill, NJ?

To successfully report nursing home abuse in Cherry Hill, you must file a complaint with the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH). When you file a complaint, you will need to explain who the victim of nursing home abuse is (and who they are to you), which nursing home facility was involved, the names of those who are responsible for caring for the victim, the names of those who have potentially committed the abuse, what type of injuries or abuse the victim experienced, whether this is the first incident of abuse, and when the abuse occurred or when you first started noticing signs of abuse. You can also contact and file a report with the New Jersey Long-Term Care Ombudsman (NJLTCO) and the New Jersey Division of Aging Services (NJDOAS).

The nursing home abuse attorneys at Ferrara & Gable have more than five decades of experience assisting and advocating for the rights of nursing home abuse victims in Cherry Hill. As a result, we have a strong track record for successfully obtaining compensation to help our clients heal, recover, and move forward with their lives. Please call our office or submit our contact form to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation today. We proudly serve all of South Jersey.