Nursing home employees filmed abusing 91-year-old woman
In the video published Monday night by Channel 10, staff members can be seen verbally and physically abusing an elderly woman, who was lying down and calling for help; 4 workers have been suspended, and police are opening an investigation.
In the video published Monday night by Channel 10, staff members can be seen verbally and physically abusing an elderly woman, who was lying down and calling for help.
Police have opened an investigation into the allegations and four employees of the nursing home have been suspended.
The disturbing video and allegations come two months after a similar elderly abuse scandal in a Haifa nursing home rocked the nation, prompting outcries from government officials and citizens alike.
The saga began after the elderly woman's family noticed suspicious marks on her body and decided to install a hidden camera in her room. In the footage that was recorded, staff members can be seen yelling at the helpless old woman, hurling profanities at her and humiliating her.
In the recording, the elderly woman can be heard telling staff that her clothes and diaper hadn't been changed all day, to which one of the workers said, "Turn around, you smell. Where are you wet? Die already, damn your wetness."
Another worker can be heard telling the woman, "You're mentally ill, you know that? You're insane."
The elderly woman can be heard crying before another staff member shouted at her: "Stand up, I can't lift you!"
After viewing the footage, the woman's family approached police and filed a complaint against the workers and the institution for abuse and neglect. A social worker also filed a complaint with police, noting that the family had approached her earlier about suspected neglect.
Police issued a statement saying, "Four workers were suspended from as soon as the case was discovered and a report has been made to the Health Ministry. There will be zero tolerance for elderly abuse."
The Association of Nursing Homes in Israel issued a statement in response to the horrific allegations, saying, "We call on the Ministry of Health to fulfill its purpose and close nursing homes that aren't adequate. We estimate that about a third of caregivers are not fit to treat and need to be replaced immediately, but there are no Israelis willing to work in the field. Even though three months ago the government promised to approve 2,400 licenses for bringing foreign workers to Israel, nothing has been done."
