Massachussets Nursing Home Workers With Criminal Records Commit Rape and Assault
A report on the Berkshire Eagle website demonstrates how several cases against nursing homes in Pittsfield, MA have tarnished their image. These cases include one conviction of an employee for rape, two for assault, and several employees terminated as a result of different incidents. The report states at least two of these cases involved employees that had a criminal record prior to being employed.
A federal report shows 90% of all nursing homes in the United States employ convicted criminals. Authorities believe a lack of supervision is one of the major factors contributing to most cases of abuse or assault in nursing homes.
Some believe a national background check system should be put in place for all nursing home employees, as they can easily move from one state to the next and find employment despite criminal backgrounds. If an employee has a criminal record in one state, they can find work at another state simply because no national background-checks are conducted. Studies have found that about 33 states only require background checks within their own states and 10 other states require federal and local checks.
National background checks would be a great idea to prevent people with criminal backgrounds from getting employment at nursing homes or home-health centers where elders are most vulnerable. The statistics in this report demonstrate how serious the problem of elder abuse is and providing national background checks could easily reduce the problem significantly. By removing employees with criminal backgrounds, elderly residents of nursing homes can rest assured that they are in a safer environment where they will get the medical care that they deserve and require.
